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Burn on the skin

Also called: Burn, scald, first-degree burn, second-degree burn

Most minor burns heal at home with cool running water and a clean covering. Burns that are large, deep, or on the face, hands, feet, genitals, or major joints need medical care. Chemical and electrical burns, and burns with trouble breathing, are emergencies.

Minor burnsRed, painful, small blisters, smaller than 3 inches
First stepCool running water for 10 to 20 minutes
Get care ifLarge, deep, or on the face, hands, feet, or genitals
If you think it's an emergency, call 911.Thinking about suicide? Call or text 988.

Overview

First-degree burns affect only the top layer of skin and cause redness and pain, like a mild sunburn. Second-degree burns go deeper and cause blisters and more pain. Third-degree burns damage all skin layers; the skin may look white, brown, or charred and may not hurt because nerves are damaged.

Burns can come from heat, hot liquids, steam, chemicals, electricity, and radiation (including the sun). Children and older adults are more likely to have serious burns.

When to get medical care

Call 911Large burns, or deep burns that look white, leathery, or charred. Burns with trouble breathing, or burns from a fire in a closed space. Electrical burns, including from lightning. Chemical burns to the eyes or large areas. Burns on the face, airway, or that circle a limb.
Get care todayBurns larger than 3 inches, or with many blisters. Burns on the hands, feet, face, genitals, buttocks, or over a major joint. Burns in babies, young children, or older adults. Signs of infection: increasing pain, redness, swelling, pus, or fever.
See a doctor soonA burn that's not healing after 2 weeks. You haven't had a tetanus shot in 5 to 10 years.

Causes

Common causes include hot liquids and steam, hot objects like stoves and irons, fire, sunburn, chemicals like cleaners and drain openers, and electricity. Children are often scalded by hot drinks, bath water, or pulling pots off the stove.

OwieClear has pages on 3 conditions that can cause burn on the skin. Each shows how soon to get care.

Common causes

What you can do at home

  • Cool the burn under cool (not ice-cold) running water for 10 to 20 minutes.
  • Remove rings and tight items before swelling starts.
  • Don't pop blisters.
  • Cover with a clean, non-stick bandage.
  • Don't put ice, butter, or oils on a burn.
  • For chemical burns, rinse with lots of water for at least 20 minutes.

Medicines

Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can ease pain. Aloe vera or a moisturizer may soothe minor burns once cooled. Serious burns may need special dressings, antibiotics, or skin grafts.

At the doctor

The provider will check how deep and large the burn is.

Questions you may be asked

  • What caused the burn and when
  • Breathing in smoke
  • How you cooled it
  • Tetanus shot status

The exam

An exam of the burn and, if needed, the airway.

Tests

  • Usually no tests for minor burns
  • Blood tests and oxygen levels for serious burns

Prevention

You can prevent burns.

  • Set your water heater to 120°F (49°C) or lower
  • Turn pot handles inward
  • Keep hot drinks away from children
  • Use smoke alarms
  • Wear sunscreen

Check your symptoms

Most symptoms have more than one possible cause. The symptom checker looks at all of your symptoms together, plus your age, and shows how soon to get care.

Start the symptom checker

Sources

Last updated 2026-11-13.