Burns: first aid

In short: Burns are among the most common household accidents, ranging from mild redness to severe injuries requiring immediate medical treatment. Correct first aid in the first minutes significantly affects healing.

In more detail: The severity of a burn depends on temperature, exposure time, and the affected body area.

Note: Not a substitute for medical advice.

In detail

• Cool immediately: Quickly cool affected areas with lukewarm (not ice-cold) water to draw heat out of the tissue.
• Limit cooling time: About 10 to 20 minutes of cooling is usually enough; cooling for too long or with water that’s too cold can additionally damage the tissue.
• Watch for clothing: Clothing stuck to the skin shouldn’t be forcibly removed; only loose clothing should be carefully taken off.
• No home remedies: Flour, butter, or toothpaste on the wound are among the most common but counterproductive myths in burn care.
• Don’t pop blisters: Burn blisters that form shouldn’t be popped yourself, to avoid infection.
• Assess the size: Burns larger than a palm, on the face, joints, or genitals generally require medical treatment.
• Recognize emergencies: For extensive, deep burns or signs of shock, call emergency services immediately (erste-hilfe-grundlagen, gasgeruch-und-gasleck-richtig-reagieren).