How to Treat Burns on Your Hands

Have you ever burned your hand or arm while cooking? Are you unsure of the severity of the burn and how to handle it? Here are some steps you can take to ensure your safety and effectively treat the burn injury.

Ensure a Safe Environment. Immediately stop what you're doing when you get burned. Ensure the environment is safe by turning off the fire to prevent further harm. If the fire is out of control, evacuate as quickly as possible and call emergency services.

• If it's a chemical burn, cease your work and clean the affected area for safety. Remove chemicals from the skin if possible. Use a dry brush to dust off dry chemicals or rinse the burn with cold water.
• If it's an electrical burn, turn off the power and stay away from the wires.

Call for Help. If the fire becomes uncontrollable in your home, dial 114 if you're in Vietnam, or 911 if you're in the United States to alert the fire department. Contact the Poison Control Center if you're uncertain whether chemicals might cause additional harm. In case of an electrical burn, call 911 (in the US) if the power lines are still live, or if the burn is caused by high voltage or lightning. In Vietnam, you can dial 115 for emergency services.

• If you're unsure whether the power lines are still live, do not touch them directly. You can only touch the wires with a dry and insulated object like a piece of wood or plastic.
• Electric burn victims always require medical care because electricity can disrupt the body's natural electrical signals and cause severe effects.

Assess the Burn on Your Hand. Examine the burn on your hand to determine the extent of the injury. Pay attention to the burn's location on the hand, its shape, and any specific characteristics. This will help assess the severity of the burn. Burns are classified into first, second, and third degrees, depending on their depth. First-degree burns are the least severe, while third-degree burns are the most severe. Each type requires different treatment methods.

• If the burn is on the palm of your hand, immediate medical attention is needed. Burns on the palm can cause long-term functional damage.
• If the burn surrounds several fingers (meaning it affects multiple fingers), seek medical help immediately. This type of burn can restrict blood flow, and severe cases may require finger amputation if not treated promptly.

Identifying a First-Degree Burn. A first-degree burn only affects the outermost layer of skin, the epidermis. The burn is slightly swollen, red, and painful. When pressure is applied, the burn may turn white briefly after releasing the pressure. If the burn does not blister or break the skin and is simply red on the surface, it is a first-degree burn.

• If the burn is extensive, covering hands, face, airways, large areas of both hands, feet, groin, buttocks, or major joints, you should see a doctor.
• Sun exposure is the most common cause of first-degree burns, unless blisters are present.

Treating a First-Degree Burn. If you've identified the burn as first-degree based on its appearance and sensation, you should immediately go to the sink. Place your hand or arm under cool running water for 15-20 minutes. This will help draw heat from the skin and reduce swelling.

• You can also place a bowl of cold water on the burn for a few minutes. This will also help pull heat from the skin, reduce swelling, and prevent scarring.
• Avoid using ice water as it may cause cold burns if left on the skin too long. Additionally, placing ice on the skin around the burn may also cause damage to the surrounding skin.
• Do not apply butter or blow on the burn. These actions will not help and may increase the risk of infection.

Remove Jewelry. A burn can cause swelling, which may cause jewelry worn on the affected area to become tightly adhered to the skin, restricting blood circulation or embedding into the skin. It is important to remove any jewelry from the burned hand, such as rings or bracelets, to prevent further complications.

Apply Aloe Vera or Burn Ointment. If you have an aloe vera plant, snap off one of the lower branches near the center of the stem. Cut off the spines and split the leaf lengthwise, then apply the gel directly onto the burn. This will provide immediate cooling relief. It is an effective remedy for first-degree burns.

• If you don't have an aloe vera plant, you can use store-bought 100% aloe vera gel.
• Do not apply aloe vera to open wounds.

Take Pain Relievers if Necessary. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), naproxen (Aleve), or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) are considered safe for short-term use to help alleviate discomfort from burns.

Monitor the Burn. A burn may worsen after a few hours. After cleaning and treating the burn, you should monitor it to ensure it does not progress into a second-degree burn. If this happens, immediate medical attention is necessary.

Identify a Second-Degree Burn. Second-degree burns are more severe than first-degree burns as they penetrate beyond the epidermis into the underlying dermis. However, this doesn’t always mean you need immediate medical attention. The burn will appear bright red with blisters on the skin. It will be more swollen and darker than a first-degree burn, with red skin that may look moist and shiny. The affected area might also appear pale or discolored.

• If the burn area is larger than 7.5 cm, treat it as a third-degree burn and seek medical help immediately.
• Common causes of second-degree burns include scalding water, fire burns, contact with extremely hot objects, severe sunburn, chemical burns, and electrical burns.

Remove Jewelry. A burn can cause swelling, making any jewelry worn on the affected skin tighten and restrict blood flow, or it could become embedded in the skin. You should remove all jewelry, such as rings or bracelets, from the burned hand to prevent further complications.

Wash the Burn. Treating a second-degree burn is similar to treating a first-degree burn. Quickly head to a sink and run cool water over the affected hand or arm for about 15-20 minutes. This will help draw heat away from the skin and reduce swelling and inflammation. If blisters form, avoid popping them, as they help protect the skin. Popping them can lead to infection and delay healing.

• Avoid applying butter or blowing on the burn. These actions won't help and could increase the risk of infection.

Apply Antibiotic Cream. Because second-degree burns penetrate deeper into the skin, reaching the dermis, the risk of infection is higher. Apply an antibiotic ointment to the burn area before covering it with a bandage.

• Sulfadiazine silver (Silvadene) is a common burn ointment. You can purchase it over-the-counter without a prescription. Apply a generous amount to ensure it soaks into the skin for a prolonged period.

Clean a Burst Blister. If a blister happens to burst, don’t panic. Wash the wound gently with mild soap and clean water. Apply antibiotic ointment and cover the wound with a clean bandage.

Change Bandages Daily. The burn dressing should be changed daily to prevent infection. Remove the old bandage and dispose of it. Rinse the burn with cool water, avoiding soap. Do not rub the skin. Let the water flow over the burn for a few minutes. Pat the area dry with a clean towel. Apply burn cream, antibiotic ointment, or aloe vera to promote healing. Re-bandage the wound with sterile dressing.

• Once the wound has healed or almost healed, you no longer need a bandage.

Make Homemade Honey Ointment. The burn-healing properties of honey have been supported by various studies, though doctors often view it as an alternative therapy. Take a teaspoon of honey and gently apply it to the burn. Dab the honey lightly over the wound. Honey is a natural antibiotic that helps prevent bacterial infection without damaging healthy outer skin. Its low pH and high permeability aid in the healing process. Medicinal honey is recommended over regular food honey.

• Research suggests that honey may be a better alternative to silver sulfadiazine ointment, which is commonly prescribed.
• The bandage should be changed daily. If the wound exudes a lot of fluid, the bandage should be changed more frequently.
• If the burn cannot be bandaged, apply honey every 6 hours. This also helps cool the wound.

Monitor the Burn. Burns may worsen after several hours. After cleansing and treating the burn, you should keep an eye on it to ensure it does not escalate into a third-degree burn. If that happens, you must seek medical attention immediately.

• While waiting for the wound to heal, watch for signs of infection, such as pus-like discharge, fever, swelling, or increased redness. If these symptoms appear, get medical attention.

Identify Severe Burns. A burn is considered severe if it affects joints or covers a large portion of the body. It is also categorized as severe if the victim shows life-threatening complications or struggles with daily activities. These cases should be treated as third-degree burns and require immediate medical care.

Identifying a Third-Degree Burn. If your burn is bleeding or appears black, it may be a third-degree burn. Third-degree burns penetrate all layers of the skin: the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous fat. These burns may appear white, brown, yellow, or black, and the skin may look dry or wrinkled. Unlike first- and second-degree burns, third-degree burns may not be as painful because the nerve endings could be damaged or destroyed. Immediate medical attention is required for third-degree burns. Call emergency services or head to the emergency room right away.

• Third-degree burns are prone to infection, and the affected skin may not fully recover.
• If clothing is stuck to the burn, do not attempt to remove it; seek help immediately.

Responding to the Situation. If you or someone nearby is near a person with a third-degree burn, immediately call 115 (or 911 in the U.S.). While waiting for emergency assistance, gently shake the victim to check for a response. If they don’t respond, check for signs of movement or breathing. If they are not breathing, begin CPR if trained.

• If you don’t know CPR, ask the emergency dispatcher to guide you. Do not attempt to clear the airway or force breathing if you are not trained; instead, focus on chest compressions.
• Place the victim on their back, kneel beside their shoulder, and position your hands in the center of their chest, keeping your shoulders aligned above your hands. Press down firmly on the chest, approximately 100 times per minute.

Caring for the Burn Victim. While awaiting medical assistance, remove any tight clothing and jewelry from the victim. Do not remove clothing or jewelry that is stuck to the burn, as doing so may cause further skin damage. Keep the victim (or yourself) warm, as severe burns can lead to shock.

• Do not immerse the burn in water, as this can lead to hypothermia. If possible, elevate the burned area above the heart to reduce swelling.
• Do not give the victim pain medications, as these may interfere with emergency care.
• Do not pop blisters, scrape off dead skin, or apply aloe or ointments to the burn.

Bandaging the Burn. If possible, cover the burn to protect it from infection. Use non-stick materials such as sterile gauze or moist bandages. If the burn is severe and the bandage might stick to the wound, wait for emergency help.

• Plastic wrap can be effective for short-term coverage, as it helps protect the wound and reduce the risk of infection from outside bacteria.

Receiving Hospital Treatment. Upon arrival at the hospital, medical professionals will quickly begin treating the burn. They will administer electrolytes through an IV to replenish lost fluids and electrolytes. They will clean the burn, a process which can be painful, and may provide pain-relieving medications. They will apply ointments or creams to the burn and cover it with sterile bandages. If needed, they will create a warm, moist environment to encourage healing.

• A nutritionist may prescribe a high-protein diet to assist in healing.
• If necessary, the doctor may discuss skin grafts, which involve taking skin from another part of your body to cover the burn.
• Follow the doctor’s instructions for changing bandages at home. Once the wound begins to drain, you will need to replace the bandages. The doctor will guide you through the necessary steps to ensure proper healing.

• If you have concerns or questions about the burn, reach out to your doctor for further information.
• Wounds may leave scars, especially more severe injuries.