Burn Care at Home: The Do’s and Don’ts to Keep in Mind

Many people don’t realize just how commonplace burn injuries are. As one of the most fatal injuries in the US, there are so many objects and circumstances that we are surrounded by daily that can lead to both minor and serious burn injuries. Because of this, it’s important to keep some safety tips in the back of your mind so that if you need to deal with burn wound care at home, you know what to do. If you get a burn, here are some basic steps to follow.

What To Do

If you or someone you know has a burn, the first thing to do is to consider how serious the burn is. If it is a small first-degree burn then chances are you should be fine providing burn wound care at home, if you do so carefully and follow the below advice. If the burn is more serious and involves prolonged pain, skin peeling, or unhealing blisters, then it's definitely time to seek professional support. For minor burns, make sure you:

1. Rinse the burn in cool water. You should leave the burn under running water for 5 to 10 minutes or until the pain has subsided. Be sure to avoid cold water and make sure the water is actively running over the burn rather than soaking your burn in it.

2. Use Antibiotic Ointment. This can help prevent infections. Keep in mind however this is not necessary for extremely minor burns such as sunburns or other superficial burns where the skin has stayed intact. Make sure to stay away from using any oils or creams, especially ones with fragrances in them.

What to Avoid

There are also some things to avoid when caring for your burn, so make sure you stay away from doing the following:

1. Popping your blisters. While we know that no one likes blisters, they serve a purpose here which is keeping the fresh skin underneath clean. If they do pop by accident, make sure to apply some antibiotic ointment to help prevent infection.

2. Avoid Touching and Soaking. If your burn is a serious one, it is super important to avoid contact with it as much as possible and seek medical attention.

For those who acquire more serious burns that require continuous medical attention or care, you might want to consider hiring a nurse to support your burn wound care at home.

To learn more about what at-home burn and wound care might look like, check out the services we offer at Alliance Homecare VNA. We provide a wide selection of personal care services and can speak with you at any time to provide you with a free in-home estimate for the at-home care services best suited to your needs.