Act quickly and calmly when suffering a boiling water burn
Boiling water burns or scaldings can be very dangerous. The severity of burns, the location of the burns, and the size of the burn all contribute to their classification. Previously burns were classified as first degree to fourth degree, depending on the depth of injured burned skin and tissue involved, but presently the classification ranges from superficial skin burns to superficial partial-thickness skin burns to the worst — full-thickness burns.
Most scalds or boiling water burns range from superficial to superficial partial thickness burns but may cause severe burns of deep partial thickness and beyond. Worsening burns from lengthened exposure and water of higher temperatures can cause instant tissue damage, blistering, and lead to disfiguring scars. Like any injury or emergency, it's important to respond quickly and know the right things to do.
Do
- remove burned body part from heat quickly and safely
- place burned area under cool water
- apply cold compress or ice pack to the burn
- know when to seek treatment
- monitor for signs of infection and keep clean and dry
Don't
- forget to extinguish or turn off the source of heat
- unroof or remove any blisters yourself
- apply butter or other home remedies to the burn
- ignore recommendations for follow up
- forget that the burn can change and mature
Do remove burned body part from heat quickly and safely
Immediately remove yourself from heat or area of exposure. It’s easy to be distracted by the burn and end up with another injury if you panic.
Do place burned area under cool water
Run cool water over the burned area. Using ice cold water may cause worsening discomfort, so start with cool water first to stop the burn and get relief.
Do apply cold compress or ice pack to the burn
Wrap a compress or ice pack in a towel or other material that won’t stick to the wound. Ice can cause more injury to skin that is already burned and damaged, so avoid direct contact with the skin.
Do know when to seek treatment
Superficial burns with just red skin at the site of burn are fine to treat at home, however, if the burn involves the face, hands, feet, or joints; if the burn is deep; if the burn victim is either very young or elderly, seek medical attention. When in doubt, always see a medical professional either at your local urgent care office, or in your nearest ER.
Do monitor for signs of infection and keep clean and dry
Routinely check the burn for any surrounding redness or increasing pain. If the burn leaves a wound, it is important to keep it clean. The wound can be washed with soap and water, and use antibiotic ointment to keep it from becoming infected as it heals. It is also important to use nonadherent dressing or gauze to prevent damage and minimize discomfort when changing the dressing. Also make sure your tetanus vaccination is up to date.
Do not forget to extinguish or turn off the source of heat
In the heat of the moment and injury, you can easily forget about the initial source of the heat, whether it’s a stove or a grill. As soon as possible, make sure the fire source is extinguished.
Do not unroof or remove any blisters yourself
If blistering develops, it is important to make sure no worsening injury has evolved deeper in the burn. The dead skin and burn can be very painful and may require strong pain medications before removing overlying dead skin seen in larger burns. Another important detail to note is that dead skin is notorious for being an ideal incubator for bacteria, leading to possible infection if not properly removed. Once cleaned, apply antibiotic ointment and gauze to keep the area clean and prevent infection as it heals. If you are unable to reach a health care professional, keeping the blistered area clean is important.
Do not apply butter or other home remedies to the burn
There are a number of home remedies out there that people use for burns, but simply managing with cool water, cold compresses and/or an ice pack initially is enough of a good start. Things like butter or other household remedies may cause more harm than good and can lead to potential infection or further skin damage.
Do not ignore recommendations for follow up
Even if it appears that the burn is healing, you should have a health care professional monitor your more serious burns. Residual scarring can be a debilitating problem causing changes in motion, increasing pain, or decreased function of a joint.
Do not forget that the burn can change and mature
The damaging effects of the burn will cause initial pain and discomfort, however, the penetrating effects of the burn can progress over the next few days. Careful wound care, as mentioned above, is vital to preventing complications.
Summary
Burns can be pretty damaging and painful, but keeping a cool head about you and acting fast can minimize the worsening effects and scarring that can occur. More information on burns, prevention and management can be found at the American Burn Association as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
