When your skin is exposed to either extreme heat or corrosive chemicals it burns. Some burns will affect just the top layer of skin, and some can affect the deeper layers.
If the burn has caused an open wound, a special dressing will be applied. This is to keep the burn clean and protect the wound from infection. You will be given clear instructions on when the dressing should be changed and who will change it. This may be your practice nurse at your GP surgery or you might be given an appointment to return to the Emergency Department.
For more simple burns where the skin has not broken down, moisturising ointments such as yellow paraffin can be used to lock in moisture to avoid the skin breaking down.
Where there is no wound, but there is a blister, a small cut will be made to remove the blister once it has drained. This creates a fresh wound which will heal quicker than waiting for the blister to come off naturally. A blister can sometimes take 48 hours to develop so you may be given an appointment at the Emergency Department to have the blister checked.
Keep your dressing clean and dry.
Try and raise the burn if it is on an arm or leg, this should be horizontal or above the level of your heart to reduce any swelling.
Good hygiene practice is essential once dressings are removed to avoid infection, daily cleaning of the area and regular hand hygiene are such examples of this.
Once the dressing is removed, keep the burn area as clean and dry as possible, to avoid infection
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You may have been prescribed an alternative pain killer, please refer to specific advice for that tablet if this is the case.
Most burns take 2-3 weeks to heal, but can sometimes take up to 6 weeks.
Itching in the first week or so is completely normal and is usually a sign that the skin is healing. Your pain should not be worsening. If it is seek medical advice from your practice nurse at your GP surgery.
A burn which has healed can still be fragile if damaged again, so protect the area well. Sunburn can affect a burnt area more than the surrounding skin for up to 2 years afterwards. So avoid direct sunlight and use a good quality high UVA and UVB rated sun protection.
Redness, foul smell, discharging pus or feeling unwell in yourself are signs of infection. If you have any of these, seek medical advice immediately.
If you have any ongoing concerns or queries about your burn you should contact NHS 111 or your local GP. If your concern is urgent or an emergency, attend your local emergency department.
Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is a smoke-free organisation. You are not permitted to smoke or in use e-cigarettes in any of the hospital buildings or grounds.
