If you have a minor burn, here are some tips for reducing pain and promoting healing.

Burns are one of the most common household injuries, and thankfully, many of them are minor. At home, most burns occur due to accidents in the kitchen, such as coming in contact with hot liquids or steam or touching objects like stoves and hot pans. Other causes of household burns include accidental contact with irons, hair straighteners and some chemicals.

If you have a minor burn, you can usually treat it at home. Burns are categorized by degrees and the type of burn you have will determine if you can treat it on your own or you need medical attention:

• First-degree burns – These are the most minor type of burns, only affecting the outer layer of skin. They usually only cause mild pain, swelling and redness.
• Second-degree burns – These affect deeper layers of the skin and may cause blisters or white, wet or shiny skin. Small second-degree burns (less than 2 – 3 inches) may be treated at home, as long as they're not on the face, hands, feet, groin, buttocks or a major joint. Larger burns should be seen by a doctor.
• Third- and fourth-degree burns – These affect all layers of skin and may even damage bones and joints. They are much more serious and should only be treated by a doctor or in a hospital. In many cases, these are medical emergencies.

Once you've determined that a burn is mild and doesn't require medical attention, the goal of treating a burn is to reduce pain and prevent infection. Most mild burns usually take about a week or two to fully heal. During that time, here are things you can do to relieve pain, promote healing and prevent infection:

• Clean the burn – Start by running clean, cool water over the burn for several minutes. Then wash the area with mild soap and water.
• Reduce pain and swelling – Apply a cool compress to the burn for 10 to 15 minutes at a time to relieve pain and reduce swelling. Make sure the compress is not too cold or it may irritate the skin. You can also take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
• Prevent infection – If there is any open skin, apply an antibiotic ointment to prevent infection. Then cover the area with a sterile dressing. If the burn blisters, don't pop it. The blister serves as a protective shield and opening it up can cause infection.
• Soothe and heal naturally – Aloe vera has been shown to help heal burns. It has anti-inflammatory properties, inhibits bacteria growth and promotes circulation. You can use the gel from the leaf of a plant or can buy aloe vera products in the store. Check labels to make sure products have a high percentage of aloe vera and no artificial additives. Another natural product that helps heal burns is honey – it also has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
• Skip these old wives' tales – Many products touted as being good for burns not only don't help, but can make your burn worse. Products to avoid on burns include butter, oil, toothpaste and egg whites. And although it may be tempting to put ice on a burn to soothe it, the intense cold may irritate the burn more. Instead, stick to cool water or compresses for maximum relief.

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Date Last Reviewed: December 19, 2024

Editorial Review: Andrea Cohen, Editorial Director, Baldwin Publishing, Inc. Contact Editor

Medical Review: Perry Pitkow, MD

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