healthdirect australia logo MENUbeginning of contentBurns and scalds 5-minute readOn this

pageWhat is a burn or scald?When should I call an ambulance?What should I do while waiting for
an ambulance?What are the symptoms of a burn or scald?What causes burns and scalds?How to
treat burns and scalds?Can burns and scalds be prevented?Complications of burns and
scaldsRelated information on Australian websitesWhat is a burn or scald?Burns are damage to the
tissue of your body caused by heat, too much sun, chemicals or electricity. Scalds are caused by
hot water or steam.Burns and scalds can range from being a minor injury to a life-threatening
emergency. It depends how deep and how large they are.When should I call an ambulance?Call an
ambulance or go straight to your nearest emergency department if:the burn is deep, even if the
person doesn’t feel any painthe burn is larger than a 20 cent piecethe burn involves the airway,
face, hands or genitalsthe skin looks leatherythere are patches of brown, black or whitethe burn
was caused by chemicals or electricitythe patient is having trouble breathingFIND A HEALTH
SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health
services.What should I do while waiting for an ambulance?First, remove the source of the burn:If
the person is on fire, drop them to the ground and roll them or cover them in a blanket to put out
the flames.If there is an electrical current, turn off the electricity.If it’s a chemical burn, take off
any contaminated clothing and wash the affected area of skin with plenty of water, continuing for
up to 60 minutes. For dry chemicals, brush off the chemicals before putting the burnt area under
water.As soon as possible, put the burnt area under cool running water for at least 20
minutes:Don’t use ice (only apply water to the burnt area).Remove any clothing or jewellery
near the burn, unless they are stuck to the burn.Don’t remove anything that is stuck to the
burn.Cover the burn:Use a light, loose, non-stick dressing. Use non-fluffy material. Plastic cling
film is a good choice.If the burn is to an arm or leg, raise it whenever possible to reduce
swelling.Some things to avoid:Don’t touch the burn or apply ice.Don’t put a child with burns
into a bath full of cold water.If blisters develop don’t pop them, and visit your doctor in case
they need to be removed.Don’t use any ointments, creams, lotions or fat on a burn. They seal
heat in and cause more damage.What are the symptoms of a burn or scald?A superficial burn, also
known as a first-degree burn, affects the outer or top layer of skin only. It may be blistered, red
and painful.A partial thickness burn (second-degree burn) damages the first and second skin
layers. It may be mottled red and white, dark red or pale yellow. It will be painful and is often
blistered.A full thickness burn (third-degree burn) reaches as far as the fat underneath the skin. It
may look brown, black or white, and feel dry and leathery. A full thickness burn can destroy
nerves so may not be painful.CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS — Use our burns and electric shock
Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help.What causes burns and scalds?
The most common causes of burns are:scalds from hot drinks such as cups of tea or coffee, hot
water or steam from kettles or pots, or hot water taps in the kitchen or bathroomcontact with
flamescontact with hot objects such as stoves, irons, hair straighteners and hot coalschemical
burns from swallowing things, such as drain cleaner or button batteries, or from spilling chemicals
such as bleach, oven cleaner and concrete onto the skinelectrical burnsHow to treat burns and
scalds?Most small burns will heal themselves in 10 to 12 days. If the burn does not have any
blisters or broken skin, such as sunburn, a simple moisturiser such as sorbolene is the best
treatment. For all other burns seek medical treatment for appropriate dressings.The treatment for
serious burns includes:pain relief medicinedressingspossible admission to hospitalperhaps
surgeryIf things get worse, or if you are not up to date with tetanus injections, see your
doctor.ASK YOUR DOCTOR — Preparing for an appointment? Use the Question Builder for
general tips on what to ask your GP or specialist.Can burns and scalds be prevented?You can
prevent burns and scalds by being vigilant when cooking. Make sure all hot liquids are out of the
reach of children, turn pot handles inwards on the stove, and be careful not to give children hot
food.Take care with all electrical items. Unplug them when they’re not in use.Always have
smoke detectors in the house and keep a fire extinguisher handy.If you are using chemicals,
always use protective clothing.Make sure your water is below 50°C to prevent
scalds.Complications of burns and scaldsLarge or deep burns and scalds can become infected.
This can lead to infection of the blood stream (sepsis).Serious burns cause a loss of fluid from the
body. They can also lead to dangerously low body temperature.After a serious burn or scald heals,
there may be scarring. This can also cause problems with bones and joints.Sources:Centre for
Children's Burns and Trauma Research (Burn first aid), St John NSW (Burns & scalds), Raising
Children Network (Burns and scalds first aid), The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne
(Clinical Practice Guidelines: Burns), Australian & New Zealand Burn Association (First aid), St
John (How to treat and recognise a burn – effective first aid for burns)Learn more here about the
development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.Last reviewed: August 2021Search our
site forChemical BurnsSunburnFirst AidSkinSkin injuriesBlistersNeed more information?These
trusted information partners have more on this topic.Top resultsFirst aid for burns & scalds: in
pictures | Raising Children NetworkBurns and scalds need immediate first aid. This includes
treating the burn with cool running water. You might need to call an ambulance or seek medical
help.Read more on raisingchildren.net.au websiteFirst aid for burns & scalds: in pictures | Raising
Children NetworkBurns and scalds need immediate first aid. This includes treating the burn with
cool running water. You might need to call an ambulance or seek medical help.Read more on
raisingchildren.net.au websiteBurns and scaldsHow to lower the risk of your child having a burn
or scald and advice on treating burns and scalds. If the burn is serious call triple zero (000) for an
ambulance.Read more on Pregnancy, Birth & Baby websiteBurns and ScaldsBurns can be caused
by flame, UV radiation, hot liquids, electricity, lightning and certain chemicals.Read more on
Queensland Health websiteBurn or scaldRead more on St John Ambulance Australia
websiteScalds & scalding: prevention | Raising Children NetworkPrevent scalds by keeping
children away from hot liquids and foods that can burn – for example, boiling water, hot drinks,
hot tap water, soups and sauces.Read more on raisingchildren.net.au websiteScalds and children |
NT.GOV.AUFind out how to protect your child from scalds and burns at home.Read more on NT
Health websiteBurns and scalds - Better Health ChannelImmediate first aid for all burns is to hold
the burn under cool running water for at least 20 minutes.Read more on Better Health Channel
websiteBurns and scalds - children - Better Health ChannelMost hot tap water scald injuries to
children happen in the bathroom.Read more on Better Health Channel websiteFirst aid for burns
and scalds: children | Raising Children NetworkFirst aid for burns and scalds starts with checking
how bad the burn is. If you’re not sure, get medical help. Also treat the burn with cool running
water.Read more on raisingchildren.net.au websiteCHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS FIND A
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St John Ambulance logoSt John Ambulance HomeDonateMinor burns and scalds to adultsIf
someone receives a burn or scald, your priority is to cool the burn as quickly as possible. Find out
what to look for and what to do.Also in this sectionBurns and scalds - adultsEmergency
adviceWhat are burns and scalds?A burn can be caused by dry heat such as contact with fire, or a
hot iron, or exposure to the sun. A scald can be caused by contact with wet heat, like steam or a
hot cup of tea. The longer the burning goes on the more severe the injury. Your priority is to cool
the burn as quickly as possible.Signs and symptomsLook for:red skin and swellingpain in the area
of the burnblistering may start to appear.What to doAdult minor burns and scalds - start cooling
the burn or scald as quickly as possibleStart cooling the burn or scald as quickly as possible. Hold
it under cool running water for at least 20 minutes or until the pain feels better.If there is no water
available, you could use cold milk or canned drinks.Adult minor burns and scalds - remove
jewellery or clothingRemove any jewellery or clothing, unless stuck to the burn, before the area
begins to swell.Adult minor burns and scalds - cover area loosely with cling filmWhen the burn
has cooled, cover the area loosely with cling film, lengthways.Do not wrap the cling film around
the burn as the area needs space to swell.If the burn is on a foot or hand you could use a clean
plastic bag.Do not use ice, creams or gels. They may cause damage and increase the risk of
infection.Do not break any blisters that may appear, as this may cause infection.First aid - call 999
or 112 for emergency helpMonitor the casualty. Seek medical advice.ShareFacebook Share
IconTwitter Share IconEmail Share IconAuthorshipClinically reviewed by Dr Lynn Thomas,
MStJ, BSc, MBBS, MA, FRCPPage review date: March 2021More information about our clinical
expertiseBrowse our first aid products:First aid dressings, bandages and tapeFirst aid dressings,
bandages and tapeShop now Our training courses:First aid coursesFirst aid coursesViewRelated
first aid adviceHow to do the primary surveyUse the primary survey to quickly assess the situation
and check the casualty for injuries or conditions that could be immediately life threatening. Find
out what to do.Find Out MoreSevere burns in adultsIf someone has a severe burn they may
develop shock which is a life-threatening condition. They will need to get to emergency help as
soon as possible. Find out what to look for and what to do.Find Out MoreShockShock - not to be
confused with emotional shock – is a life-threatening condition. It happens when the body isn’t
getting enough oxygen to the vital organs. Find out what to look for and what to do.Find Out
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