Minor burns · Cool the burn. Serious burns need emergency medical help. Minor burns can usually be treated with first aid. Electrical burns, including those caused by lightning, and serious chemical burns require emergency medical attention. A minor burn may need emergency care if it affects the eyes, mouth, hands, or genitals.
Infants and older adults may also need emergency care for minor burns. This content has been reviewed and approved by experts from the Model Burn System (BMS) centers, funded by the National Institute for Research on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation (NIDILRR). Many burn professionals use wound dressings that can stay in place for 7 to 14 days or until they heal. These include how the injury occurred, how hot the agent was, how long the burned area was in contact with the agent, and how thick the skin in the area is.
If you haven't been vaccinated for tetanus in the past five years and the burn is deep, you may need a booster shot.
