Hot Water Burn

Home care

These guidelines will help you care for your burn at home.

• Place your burn under cool water right away to decrease pain. Don't apply ice directly to the burn. Freezing can make the burn worse.

• On the first day, put a small towel soaked in cool water on the area to ease severe pain.

• If no blister formed, you may use unscented moisturizers that contain aloe vera.

• If a blister formed and broke and a bandage was applied, change it once a day, or as directed. If the bandage sticks, remove it by soaking it in warm water. Wash the burned area daily with soap and water. Pat dry with a clean towel. For the next 3 to 5 days, put an antibiotic cream or ointment on the area after washing it. This will help to prevent an infection and to keep the bandage from sticking.

• If a blister formed, it will go down by itself. Or it will break on its own in the next few days. If the blister breaks, a clear fluid will leak from it for 1 or 2 days. The loose skin from the broken blister has no feeling. You can carefully trim away this skin with clean, small, sharp scissors. Sterilize the scissors by soaking them in alcohol first. Or wash them with soap and water. Wash the raw surface under the blister daily with soap and water. For the next 3 to 5 days, put an antibiotic cream or ointment on the area after washing it. This will help prevent an infection and keep the bandage from sticking.

• You may use over-the-counter medicine as directed by the doctor to control pain, unless another pain medicine was prescribed. If you have chronic liver or kidney disease, talk with your doctor before using acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Before using these medicines, also talk with your doctor if you've had a stomach ulcer or GI (gastrointestinal) bleeding. Don't give ibuprofen to children younger than 6 months old.

• Don't pick or scratch at the affected area. Use over-the-counter medicine for itching.

• Wear a hat, sunscreen, and long sleeves while in the sun.

• Don't wear tight-fitting clothes.

• If the burn is large, add more calories and protein to your diet until the wound has healed. Drink plenty of water.

Follow-up care

Follow up with your doctor as advised. Most hot water burns heal without becoming infected. Sometimes an infection happens even with correct treatment. Watch for the signs of infection listed below.

When to get medical advice

Contact your doctor right away if:

• Your pain gets worse.

• Redness or swelling gets worse.

• There is pus coming from the wound.

• You have a fever of 100.4ºF (38ºC) or higher, or as advised by your doctor.

• The wound doesn't seem to be healing.

• You have an upset stomach (nausea) or vomiting.