Minor Burns Treatment Urgent Care Serving Connecticut

A first-degree burn is defined as a superficial burn as it only affects the top layer of the skin, which is known as the epidermis.
 
More severe burns, however, tend to damage the deeper layers of the skin or all the skin. This also includes the nerves.
 
Most first-degree burns will involve a small surface area of skin but can affect larger areas. A first-degree burn will usually present as being dry and discolored. Burns on lighter skin can look red, whereas a burn on darker skin may appear reddish-brown. These types of burns do not break the skin or cause blisters to form.
 
The most common symptom of a first-degree burn is a change in the color of the skin. Other symptoms may include:

• Pain
• Soreness within the burned area can last for 2–3 days
• Warm to the touch
• Swelling
• Dry skin
• The top layer of skin peels within 1 to 2 days and the rest within 3 weeks
• Itching
• A temporary change in skin color that is caused by peeling
• For people with light skin, the burnt skin turns white when applying pressure to it

When you experience a burn, you will experience pain due to the heat that has destroyed the skin cells. Minor burns heal the same way cuts do. Often, a blister can form that .. covers the injured area. Your white blood cells arrive to attack the bacteria, and a new layer of skin grows from the edges of the burn.
 
How quickly a burn will heal depends on how severe the burn is. A first-degree burn should heal on its own within a week without leaving a scar. A second-degree burn will heal in about two weeks. Sometimes it will leave a scar, but it may fade over time. A Third-degree burn is the most severe type of burn and can take months or years to heal. This type of burn will leave scars, and you may need a skin graft to minimize the scarring.

For the most part, you are able to treat small first-degree burns on your own without a doctor. Second-degree burns should be treated by a doctor and you should make an appointment as soon as possible. Be sure to look for signs of infection like redness, swelling, or pus. With a third-degree burn, you should go to the hospital as soon as possible, as these are the most severe types of burns.

When treating a minor burn, you should:
 
Cool the burn – Hold the burned area under cool, not cold, running water for roughly 10 minutes. If the burn is located on your face, be sure to apply a cool wet cloth until the pain has eased.
 
Remove rings or other tight items from the burned area – Try and do this as quickly and gently as possible before the area swells.
 
Don’t break the blisters– Blisters help protect against infection. If a blister does break, be sure to gently clean the area with water and apply an antibiotic.
 
Apply lotion– After the burn has cooled, apply a lotion that has aloe vera or cocoa butter. This will help prevent drying and provide relief.
 
Bandaging the burned area – You can cover the burn with a clean bandage. Be sure to loosely wrap to avoid putting pressure on burned skin. Bandaging will help keep air off the area, reduce pain, and protect blistered skin.
 
If needed, take a nonprescription pain reliever– Pain relievers such as ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, or acetaminophen.

Visit us at Priority Urgent Care and Walk-In Clinic for the treatment of minor burns. We have two convenient locations to serve you. For more information, please call us or book an appointment online. Walk-ins are welcome! We serve patients from Ellington CT, Unionville CT, East Haven CT, Cromwell CT, Oxford, CT and Newington, CT, and BEYOND!