Treating Burns
A burn is the result of severe damage to skin tissue caused by heat, electricity, chemicals, or radiation. Some burns—such as electrical burns— can cause damage beneath the skin that is not visible to the eye.
Your local Physicians Immediate Care can help you identify burns as well as the severity of any burn injury. If you believe you have suffered a third-degree burn, call 911 for emergency treatment.
Burns typically fall into one of three categories, severity increasing with each category:
- First-degree
- Second-degree
- Third-degree
Burn Symptoms
- Redness
- Swelling
- Tenderness
- Blistering, accompanied by thickening of the skin
- Shock, including pale, clammy skin
- Yellowing or whitening of the skin
- Charring of the skin
Severe Symptoms
- Rapid pulse
- Difficulty breathing
- Hives
- Swollen lips, throat, or tongue
- Nausea or diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Anaphylaxis
Treatment
Minor burns can often be treated by applying aloe vera to reduce redness and relieve pain. Based on the circumstances of your burn, our doctors at the Physicians Immediate Care clinic near you may prescribe an antibiotic cream or recommend another course of treatment for your injury. Feel free to contact us anytime for more information about burns and burn treatment.