How to Treat Blistered Burns

Rinse the blister under cool water. The first thing you can do to treat a blistered burn is to let cool or slightly warm water flow over the affected skin. You can also soak the area in a cool bath or apply a cool, damp cloth to the burn. Keep the burned area submerged in cool water for about 10-15 minutes.

• Remember to use cool water, not cold or ice-cold water.

Apply honey to the blistered area. You can gently apply a thin layer of honey to the burn blister. Honey has antibacterial properties and has been proven to aid in the healing of burns. Lightly spread a thin layer of honey on the wound.

• Raw honey is a great option. Another good alternative is medical-grade honey, such as Manuka honey.

Cover the blister with a sterile dressing. If possible, cover the burn blister with a sterile bandage. Ensure there’s plenty of space above the blister, creating a gap like a tent. This helps to prevent the blister from breaking, irritating, or becoming infected.

• If you don't have a bandage, you can substitute it with a clean cloth or fabric.

Avoid using folk remedies for burns. Many people believe they can treat burns with home materials, such as butter, egg whites, anti-stick sprays, or ice. However, you should avoid applying these substances to the wound. They can lead to infection or tissue damage.

• Instead, use burn cream, ointments, honey, or avoid using any ointment on the blister.

Avoid popping the blister. Try not to break the burn blister, at least for the first 3-4 days. It’s best to bandage it to keep the blister intact. If you need to remove the bandage without breaking the blister, you may need to soak it in warm water.

• Change the bandage daily and apply antibiotic ointment or honey after each bandage change.
• If the blister becomes too painful or infected, you may carefully puncture the blister. Always wash your hands first, then clean the surrounding skin with alcohol or iodine solution to eliminate any bacteria. Sterilize the needle with alcohol, then puncture the base of the blister to drain the fluid. Use cotton balls to absorb any fluid or pus. Try to keep the top layer of skin intact if possible.

Take over-the-counter pain relievers. Pain relievers can help alleviate the discomfort of a burn blister. Even after applying cool water to the burn and covering it, you may still experience pain or soreness at the injury site. Over-the-counter pain relievers can be helpful in such cases. You can take pain medication as soon as the blister forms, rather than waiting until it starts to hurt.

• Consider taking ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin), naproxen sodium (Aleve), or acetaminophen (Tylenol). Make sure to follow the recommended dosage on the label.

Apply burn cream. If the blister is caused by a burn, you can apply an antibiotic ointment or moisturizing lotion to prevent infection. Gently spread a thin layer of cream or lotion over the blister. If you plan to cover the blister with a bandage or dressing, avoid using creams that are water-based.

• Common burn creams include Bacitracin or Neosporin. You can also use ointments like petroleum jelly (Vaseline). Aloe vera lotion or gel is another good option to try.

See a doctor. If your burn blister becomes infected, you should seek medical attention. Skin infections can be serious. If the blister contains anything other than clear fluid, it may be infected.

• If you develop a fever, notice red streaks around the blister, or if the blister becomes extremely red and swollen, seek medical care immediately. These could be signs of an infection.
• Children and the elderly should see a doctor if they have a burn blister to minimize the risk of infection and scarring.

Identify the cause of the blistering burn. Blistering burns can occur anywhere on the body. Common causes of blisters, also known as second-degree burns, include:

• Contact with hot objects
• Fire burns
• Burns from steam or hot liquids, such as cooking oil
• Electrical burns
• Chemical burns

Identify a first-degree burn. Blisters commonly form when the skin is burned. The severity of the burn is categorized by the extent of the damage. First-degree burns affect the outermost layer of skin and cause redness and swelling.

• First-degree burns are painful but considered mild. They typically don’t form blisters, but the skin may peel.
• First-degree burns are dry and usually heal within 3-5 days.

Identify a second-degree burn. Second-degree burns are more severe than first-degree burns. A second-degree burn is considered mild if the burn area is less than 7.5 cm in diameter. It affects the outer layer and a few layers underneath. Blisters often appear on second-degree burns.

• Second-degree burns are painful and typically result in red or pink blisters. The blisters may be swollen or contain clear fluid.
• In more severe cases, a second-degree burn can dry out, and sensation in the area may diminish. Pressing the skin may not cause it to turn white, or it may turn white very slowly.
• Second-degree burns typically heal within 2-3 weeks.
• Burns larger than 7.5 cm in diameter require emergency care or a doctor's visit as soon as possible. If the burn is on the hands, feet, face, groin, large joints, or buttocks, seek immediate medical attention. Elderly people and children with second-degree burns require urgent care due to higher complication risks.

Seek medical care for third-degree burns. Third-degree burns are the most severe. These burns are considered serious because the layers of skin are destroyed, requiring immediate emergency care. Third-degree burns affect the deepest layers of the skin, causing it to turn white or black.

• The affected skin may appear black or white. It may also become dry and wrinkled.
• Initially, third-degree burns may not be painful because the nerves in the skin are damaged.

Count the number of blisters. One or a few blisters are usually not a major concern and can be treated at home unless the blisters are caused by severe second-degree or third-degree burns. However, if you have a large number of blisters spread across your body, you should seek medical attention immediately.

• Many blisters on the body could be a sign of a serious health condition, such as pemphigus (a rare autoimmune disease of the skin), pemphigoid blistering disorder, or dermatitis herpetiformis.