Burns and scalds

Burns usually happen when dry heat comes into contact with your skin, such as fire or a hot iron, for example. Burns can also be caused by electricity or chemicals. Scalds are caused by hot liquids or steam.

You should treat all burns and scalds straight away. Hold the burn or scald under cool running water for 20 minutes. Do this as soon as possible, within 3 hours of it happening. If there's no running water available, you can use cool bottled water or a wet towel. Remove any clothing or jewellery that's near the affected area – but do not remove anything that is stuck to the affected area. When the burn or scald has cooled, lay cling film over it if you can. Do not wrap the cling film around it.

Small burns and scalds can often be treated at home and can take around 2 weeks to heal. Severe burns and scalds that are large or deep may need treatment in hospital. Treatment in hospital may include: medicines, such as antibiotics or painkillers having your burn or scald cleaned and dressed being given fluids, usually through a vein in your arm (IV) surgery, which may be done to repair the wound or to reconstruct damaged skin

There are things you can do to help while a burn or scald is healing. Do take painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen to help with pain use an emollient ointment on the affected area if it becomes itchy and dry as it heals – you can ask a pharmacist for advice about what to use Don't do not put any creams, oils or butter on burns or scalds do not use plasters or sticky dressings to cover a burn or scald do not burst any blisters