Going home after your visit
Caring for a minor burn or scald
How to look after your burn at home, and what to watch for.
You have a minor burn or scald. With good care, most heal well over the next week or two. Here is how to look after it, and what to watch for. Please read this and keep it handy.
Your care details
To be completed by the team before you leave.
this Emergency Department your nearest A&E other:
none needed
Come back to A&E or an urgent treatment centre if any of these happen
These can be signs of infection or a deeper burn. If you are not sure what to do, call 111.
- Increasing pain, redness, swelling or pus around the burn
- A bad smell coming from the wound
- You feel feverish, shivery or generally unwell
- The burn looks deeper or larger than first thought
- The skin looks white, brown or charred
- Numbness in or around the burn
- The dressing soaks through with fluid
- Any burn to the face, hands, feet, genitals or across a joint
CALL 999 Call 999 if someone is badly burned, has breathed in smoke or fumes, is struggling to breathe, feels cold, clammy or dizzy, or collapses.
Caring for the burn
- Keep the dressing clean and dry, and change it only as advised.
- Do not burst any blisters - they protect the skin underneath.
- Raise the area when you can, to bring down swelling.
- Take paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain if you can take them.
- Do not put creams, butter, toothpaste or ice on it.
If a burn happens again - first aid
- Cool the burn under cool running water for 20 minutes.
- Take off jewellery or clothing near the burn, unless it is stuck.
- Cover it loosely with cling film or a clean, non-fluffy cloth.
- Keep the person warm, but not over the burn.
- A burn from chemicals or electricity, or one that is large or deep, needs A&E - call 999.
Looking after the scar
As the new skin heals, it can burn easily in the sun. Protect it from the sun for about a year - cover it up, or use a high-factor sunblock once the skin has fully closed. This helps the scar fade and stops it darkening.
Where to get help
999
Life-threatening emergency, or a red-flag symptom above
111
Urgent but not life-threatening, or you're not sure — call or visit 111.nhs.uk, 24/7
Your team
Use the department phone in Your care details above