Superficial Burn
GENERAL INFORMATION:
What is a superficial burn?
- A superficial burn is also called a first-degree burn. It is a skin injury commonly caused by dry heat (fire) or wet heat (steam or hot liquids). The skin is made up of the epidermis (outer layer), dermis (second layer), and the subcutaneous tissues (muscles and fat; third layer). Burns may be grouped based on how deep the affected tissue is. They may be grouped into superficial, partial thickness, or full thickness burns.
- A superficial burn occurs when the epidermis has been slightly burned or injured. A superficial burn is the least serious type of burn. It usually heals within 3 to 5 days without scarring or blisters (raised skin with watery fluid inside). Most sunburns are superficial burns.
What causes a superficial burn? Direct exposure to heat is the most common cause of superficial burn. This includes contact with hot objects or flames, such as an iron, a skillet, cigarettes, or fireworks. The following may also cause a superficial burn:
- Chemicals: Harsh chemicals, such as cleaning products, car battery acid, gasoline, wet or dry cement, lime, or chlorine.
- Electrical: Touching damaged electrical cords or electrical outlets.
- Scalding: Minor burn from hot water, steam, or liquids, such as boiling water, coffee, or tea.
- Sun: Sunburns or too much use of tanning beds.
What are the signs and symptoms of a superficial burn? A superficial burn is usually red, dry, tender, and painful. The burned area may also swell, turn white when touched, and have no blisters. It usually heals in 3 to 5 days without any long term scarring.
How is superficial burn diagnosed? Caregivers will take a medical history and perform a physical examination. This will help him check how big and how bad your burn is. No special tests are needed for a superficial burn.
How is a superficial burn treated? A superficial burn may be treated by quickly soaking the affected area in cool water. The burn is carefully cleaned with soap and water to prevent infection. You may use aloe cream to soothe the skin. You may also take over-the-counter (OTC) pain medicines, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, for your pain. Ask your caregiver before taking any OTC medicine.
What is the first-aid for superficial burn?
- For burns caused by heat:
- Remove jewelry or clothing from the burned area before the skin begins to swell.
- Flush the burn with cool running water or apply cold moist cloths until the pain decreases.
- Do not use ice or ice water on the affected area. This may cause more damage to the skin.
- Use a simple skin lotion, such as aloe vera cream to soothe the skin.
- Take ibuprofen to relieve pain and inflammation (swelling), or take acetaminophen to relieve pain.
- Do not put a bandage on the burn until you are told to do so by your caregiver.
- Do not put any butter, petroleum jelly, or other home remedies on your burn.
- Remove jewelry or clothing from the burned area before the skin begins to swell.
- For burns caused by a chemical:
- Remove clothing or jewelry on which the chemical has spilled right away .
- Flush liquid chemicals from the skin completely with large amounts of cool running water. Be sure to avoid splashing the chemical into your eyes.
- Brush dry chemicals off the skin if large amounts of water are not available. Small amounts of water will activate some chemicals, such as lime, and cause more damage. Be careful not to get any of the chemicals into your eyes.
- Do not put any butter, petroleum jelly, or other home remedies on skin burned by a chemical.
- Do not put a bandage on the burn until you are told to do so by your caregiver.
- Remove clothing or jewelry on which the chemical has spilled right away .
How can superficial burn be prevented?
- Do not leave cups, mugs, or bowls containing hot liquids at the edge of a table. Keep also the pot handles turned away from the stove front. Children can reach up and pull them down onto themselves.
- Do not leave a lit cigarette by itself. Discard them properly. Keep cigarette lighters and matches in a safe place where children cannot reach them.
- Keep your water heater setting to low or medium.
- Wear sunscreen that has a sun protectant factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. The sunscreen should also have ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) protection. Follow the directions on the label when using sunscreen. Put on more sunscreen if you are in the sun for more than an hour. Reapply sunscreen often if you go swimming or are sweating a lot.
Where can I get support and more information? Having a superficial burn may be hard. Contact the following for more information:
- American Academy of Family Physicians
PO Box 11210
Shawnee Mission, KS 66207-1210
Phone: 1-913-906-6000
Web Address: http://www.aafp.org
- American College of Surgeons
633 N. Saint Clair St.
Chicago, IL 606113211
Phone: 1-312-2025000
Phone: 1-800-6214111
Web Address: http://www.facs.org
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Mass Trauma
1600 Clifton Rd.
Atlanta, GA, 30333
Web Address: www.cdc.gov/masstrauma
CARE AGREEMENT:
You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.
Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.
The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
