How to Treat Oil Burns

Oil burns typically occur while cooking. Hot oil may splatter onto your hands or arms, causing a painful burn. However, if you remain calm and act promptly, you can prevent long-lasting skin damage. In most cases, simple first aid techniques are enough to treat an oil burn. For severe burns, it's crucial to call emergency services and seek immediate medical care.

Remove yourself from the source of the burn. Step away from the hot oil to avoid further injury. Ensure you're far enough away to prevent any oil from splashing onto you. You may also want to move the oil away from the heat source to stop it from splattering.

• If you're cooking, turn off the stove before you begin first aid to avoid burning your food or starting a fire.

Remove clothing from the burn area. Before cooling the burn, take off any clothes covering the burned area, unless they are stuck to the skin. If the fabric is adhered, leave it in place. Trying to remove the fabric could cause more harm to the skin.

• If a piece of clothing is stuck to the burn, you may need to cut it away.
• You can also try wetting the fabric to help it detach from the skin without pulling.

Run cool water over the burned skin for 10 minutes. If the burn is on your hand or arm, simply place the affected area under cool running water. Be sure the water covers the entire burn. If the burn hasn't cooled after 10 minutes, you can continue rinsing it for up to 20 minutes.

• Use cool, not cold, water. Avoid applying ice directly to the burn, as it could cause further damage.
• Wrap the burn with plastic wrap after cooling it under water to keep the area clean and moist.
• If the burn location makes it difficult to run water directly over it, you can apply a cool, damp cloth or soak the area in a cool bath.

Assess the size and severity of the burn. If the burn is small (about the size of a coin or smaller), it can typically be treated at home. For larger burns, seek medical care as soon as possible.

• For deep or more severe burns, you may notice blisters, redness, swelling, and heat around the wound. These burns can damage nerve endings and require medical attention, even if the area is small.
• Call emergency services or head to the emergency room immediately if the burn covers a large area of the body (such as the face, hands, groin, buttocks, or major joints), or if it penetrates all layers of skin and reaches deeper tissues.

Take aspirin or acetaminophen to relieve pain. If the burn is still painful after cooling the skin, over-the-counter pain relievers can help reduce the pain. Pain relievers with anti-inflammatory properties can also help reduce swelling.

Apply a thin layer of burn ointment. If you have a first aid kit, it may include burn ointment. You can use burn ointment or gel if available. However, using creams or ointments for oil burns is not a necessity.

• Pure aloe vera gel can also be effective for pain relief.
• Avoid using antibiotic ointments, as they are unnecessary and could cause allergic reactions. Do not use creams, lotions, butter, or egg whites, as they can hinder healing and cause infection.

Cover the burn with a moisture-retentive dressing. Use moisture-retaining gauze or specialized burn bandages if available. Apply the dressing gently, ensuring minimal contact with the skin.

• If burn-specific bandages are not available, you can use plastic wrap or a clean plastic bag to cover the burn.
• Never use dry, adhesive materials to cover the burn, as they could stick to the skin or leave fibers behind, like dry gauze.
• If you need to place gauze over the burn, wet the gauze with clean water or apply a layer of Vaseline before placing it on the burn.

Get a tetanus shot if needed. Tetanus bacteria can enter the body through a burn. If you haven't had a tetanus shot in the past 5 years, contact your doctor or visit a nearby healthcare facility for the vaccine.

• The risk of tetanus infection is relatively low if the burn is minor. However, if the burn involves blisters or is more severe, you should get a tetanus shot to ensure safety.

Change the bandage daily. Every day, you need to remove the old bandage and dispose of it. Clean the wound with cool water and gentle soap. While cleaning the burn, check the skin for any signs of infection. If you notice discharge or pus, or if the burn becomes red or swells more than before, seek medical attention immediately. These are signs of infection.

• In addition to the burn symptoms, fever or swollen lymph nodes are also indicators of infection. Seek medical care if you experience a high fever above 38°C.
• Burns typically heal within 2-3 weeks. If the wound has not healed after this period, consult a healthcare professional.

Avoid scratching the burn area. The skin often becomes itchy as the wound begins to heal. Scratching the burn can cause further damage to the skin and introduce bacteria into the wound, increasing the risk of infection. Aloe lotion can help soothe the itching.

• Avoid using cortisone or other anti-itch ointments or lotions. These products do not treat burns and may hinder the healing process of the skin.

• If you frequently cook with oil, store a first aid kit in the kitchen for easy access in case of burns.

• If the burn is on a sensitive area of your body or covers a larger area than your palm, seek medical attention immediately. Do not attempt to treat the burn on your own with a home first aid kit.