Do you want to learn how to treat a burn? No matter what may happen, from accidentally dropping boiling water on yourself in the kitchen or being caught in a fire, it is a good idea to know how to assess and treat burns. Almost everyone experiences some kind of burn at least once in their lifetime. How to Treat a Burn will show you how to apply first aid until you can seek professional medical attention.

A small slip in the kitchen to a big explosion can lead to burn victims who need immediate attention. As the Mayo Clinic notes, when in contact with extreme heat, not only can the outer layers of our skin be damaged, but there is also potential for tissues and nerves to be destroyed.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/first-aid-burns/FA00022 It is essential that a burn victim be given immediate attention, no matter how big or small the extent of the damage.

The first thing you must do is to put out the fire or remove the source of the heat from the victim's body.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/first-aid-burns/FA00022 When a person's clothes are on fire, drop them to the ground, smother them with blankets and roll them around to extinguish the flames. Then you need to assess the extent of the injury.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/first-aid-burns/FA00022

Read on to learn how to apply first aid to a burn victim.

The first thing you need to do in treating a burn is to determine the extent of the damage caused by the burn.http://firstaid.about.com/od/injuriesathome/ht/06_burns.htm This means not only figuring out whether the burn is first, second or third degree, but also the area on the skin covered. If the affected area is larger than the palm of your hand, say an entire arm or abdomen, call for help immediately.

Look for blistering, charring or peeling as well.http://firstaid.about.com/od/injuriesathome/ht/06_burns.htm These too, indicate that you need to call in emergency assistance.

1. First-Degree: A first-degree burn is the least serious of them all. It usually indicates that only the outer layer of the skin has been affected. A first-degree burn is characterized by red skin, swelling and minor pain.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/first-aid-burns/FA00022
2. Second-Degree: Second-degree burns cause much more pain and swelling and often.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/first-aid-burns/FA00022 The second-degree burns usually affect the deeper layers of the skin. A second-degree burn can prove to be dangerous if handled incorrectly and should be looked at by a doctor once the initial first aid has been administered.
3. Third-Degree: Third-degree burns are the most severe, and usually cause permanent tissue damage.http://www.wikihow.com/Treat-a-Burn The burns are usually painless because the nerves themselves have been burnt, but involve all layers of the skin, causing a charred look or making the skin appear dry and white. If the victim has a third-degree burn, call emergency services immediately.

1. Run cool (not cold) water over the burn for at least five minutes or until there is no pain.
2. Apply antiseptic cream and wrap the burned area loosely with a sterile gauze bandage. Put just enough pressure on the skin to protect it from air.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/first-aid-burns/FA00022 This is done in order to reduce pain and protect the blistered area.
3. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever.http://www.wikihow.com/Treat-a-Burn
4. Watch for any signs of infection such as increased pain, oozing or swelling. Apply sunscreen to the affected area for at least a year.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/first-aid-burns/FA00022

1. Run cool water over the burn for at least fifteen minutes. If that is not possible, dip washcloths in ice cold water and apply on the affected area.http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/burns-home-treatment

2. Do not use any substance such as honey, butter or aloe on the burn] as it is susceptible to infection.http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/burns-home-treatment]

3. If the area burned is large or is in a part of the body that has sensitive skin] such as the neck, face or genitals, get immediate medical attention.http://www.wikihow.com/Treat-a-Burnref>

4. Apply antibiotic cream] on the burn and wrap it with a sterile gauze bandage. Do this daily until the burn heals.http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/burns-home-treatment<ref>

Never apply ice directly to a burn. Doing so can cause frostbite.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/first-aid-burns/FA00022

Don't try to treat third-degree burns on your own. Call for immediate medical attention and cool with water in the meantime.http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/burns-home-treatment

Never pop the blisters as this could lead to infection.http://www.ehow.com/how_2254758_treat-a-burn.html

It is not advisable to use oil and butter on severe wounds.http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/burns-home-treatment

If the patient experiences dizziness, weakness, fever or cold sweats, it may be due to dehydration or hypothermia. Call a doctor.http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/burns-home-treatment

Don't remove burn clothes from the victim's body unless you are absolutely sure that it is not sticking to the body. Also make sure there is no longer any smoke or heat around. http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/burns-home-treatment

Large and severe burns should not be treated with cold water, as this could cause shock].http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/first-aid-burns/FA00022

Whenever possible, elevate the burned parts of the patient's body to above the heart level.http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/burns-home-treatment

• A burn can cause permanent damage and scarring if not treated in time. Unless you're sure you're dealing with a first-degree burn, apply the appropriate first aid and then see a doctor.

The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please contact your doctor before using the information presented here.