Burn Awareness Month: Types of burns and how to treat them

Treating a burn can be daunting, but understanding how to recognise and manage these injuries makes the process easier and more effective. 

First-degree burns are burns that affect the first layer of the skin, these burns are considered minor and can be caused by sunburn, scalding from hot surfaces or liquids and small electrical burns. 

First-degree burn symptoms can range from pain to redness and swelling. A cool compress on the burn area and applying products containing aloe vera can be used to treat these burns at home. These burns take 3 to 20 days to heal. 

You can treat them at home by gently placing a clean, cool cloth on the burn and using aloe vera. These burns usually heal within three to 20 days. 

Second-degree burns are also called ‘partial thickness’ burns as they affect the first and second layers of the skin, these burns are considered minor when the burn is less that 8cm wide. 

Second-degree burn symptoms are pain, redness, swelling and blistering as well, these burns can be treated by running the skin under cool water for 15 minutes or longer, and applying an antibiotic cream to the affected area and applying a clean bandage daily. These burns take one to three weeks to heal. 

Third-degree or “full thickness” burns damage the first three layers of the skin as well as fatty tissue; you may not feel pain in the area because the burn destroyed your nerves. These burns are serious burns that require urgent medical attention. Third-degree burn symptoms include blackened or discoloured skin, swelling and numbness in the burn area. These burns can take at least three weeks to heal. 

All degrees of burns can be caused by flames, touching hot objects, boiling water, steam and items of intense cold like dry ice or aerosol spray. Exercising caution and wearing personal protective equipment around these hazards can help prevent burn injuries from happening to people. 

Dial “107” or “112” in the case of a fire emergency.

Seek urgent medical attention if you have received serious burns.