Burn Basics: A Breakdown of Types, Causes, and Treatment

Many of us have experienced the feeling of a burn, but there are lots of different kinds of burns and they don’t all look or feel alike. Believe it or not, some of the most serious burns aren’t actually painful.

That’s why understanding the difference between burn types and their appropriate treatment can help ensure you and your skin recover properly.

Whether your burn can be treated at home or needs ongoing medical attention, AHN’s West Penn Burn Center – the region’s only burn center certified by the American Burn Association – can help you make an action plan and get the care you need.

Burn types and symptom

• First-degree burn – These are commonly referred to as superficial burns, affecting only the skin’s outer layer. These can look like a red area on the skin without blisters. A sunburn is one example of a first-degree burn.
• Second-degree burn – Referred to as partial thickness burns and often painful, these include blisters with fluid under the skin and skin that peels off to expose a wet area of new skin.
• Third-degree burn – This is referred to as a full thickness burn and requires immediate medical attention. With third-degree burns, pain is only felt right after the burn, and then damage is done to the nerve endings that prevents you from feeling more pain. This type of burn can range from black to gray in appearance and leave the skin feeling dry and leathery.
• Fourth-degree burn – This goes deeper than a third-degree burn, damaging skin and tissue and affecting muscles and tendons.

Scald burns

With burns caused by fire, you may see changes to your skin right away. Other burns can trigger gradual changes. When cooking with hot water, for example, second degree burns can become third degree burns. These are called scald burns. Burns like this can take up to three days to “declare themselves,” which is why follow-up care is important.

Most common burn causes

Everyday activities can lead to burns. Some can be prevented with simple precautions.

• Heat – Cooking with fire, hot surfaces, and steam are common causes of burns. If a fire happens when cooking, use a lid or fire extinguisher to cover the flames. Never run outside with an on-fire appliance or to dump hot grease.
• Chemicals – Using cleaning products around the home can cause burns when the chemicals get onto skin or clothes or under cleaning gloves. If you think you have a chemical burn, wash it right away with cool water. If the chemicals are in your eyes, flush with cool water and call 911.
• Electricity – This burn can be caused by touching an electrical current, such as a live wire. If you experience this type of burn, always remove the source of the electricity as soon as it’s safe to do so. Continue to watch for signs of electrical shock, like confusion, pale skin, and difficulty breathing.
• Radiation – Many people have had sunburns, the most common type of radiation burns. If you suffer a radiation burn, it’s important to avoid rubbing or irritating the affected area.
• Frostbite – This most commonly affects fingers and toes and is treated at burn centers because it involves similar damage to skin. After experiencing frostbite, you should focus on protecting the affected area by keeping it warm and covered, until you’re able to receive medical attention.

Minor burn care with first aid

First and second degree burns that are smaller than the size of your hand can be treated at home. However, if the affected area is larger than your palm or appears to spread over time, you should get it checked by a doctor to prevent infection or complications.

• Cool water is key – Although tempting, ice can make your burn worse by constricting blood supply to the affected area. Instead, run cool water over a first or second degree burn for 10-20 minutes.
• Avoid home remedies – For burns that are only red and not blistered, use skin lotion or aloe. Avoid trying at-home hacks like toothpaste, butter, or other liquids on burns, which can make things worse.
• Bandage the blisters – For burns with blisters, cover the wound loosely with a clean bandage or dressing.
• Use over-the-counter treatment – Pain medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help with discomfort. At your local pharmacy, you can find a non-prescription antibiotic ointment to prevent infection. Avoid products that are advertised for burns, unless specifically directed by a doctor to use them, as some of these are only meant to be used on specific types of burns.

Severe burn treatment and burn recovery

For more serious burns, experts at AHN’s West Penn Burn Center can intervene early to reduce the risk of scarring and complications.

Smaller second degree burns, with proper dressing and wound care, typically heal within 2-3 weeks. For more extreme burns, a procedure involving skin grafting uses either natural or artificial skin to remove dead or affected tissue.

Head to your nearest emergency room or call 911 if your burn is:

• On your face, hands, feet, genitals, or joints. 
• Showing signs of infection, such as increased pain, swelling, puss, or red streaks extending from the burn.
• Causing shortness of breath.
• Resulting in significant pain that won’t get better with first aid treatment.

Parents or guardians of children who have suffered a burn should have their child seen by a pediatrician within 24 hours of the burn occurrence.

Preventing scarring and promoting healing

After your wound heals, you may notice differences in your skin. At West Penn Burn Center, we offer an innovative treatment using CO2 lasers to improve the appearance of scars caused by deep burns. Talk to your doctor to see if you are a good fit for this treatment.

Reaching out to a provider

If you’re concerned about a burn, you always have the option to seek medical care from a trusted AHN provider. Treating your burn early can help lower your chances of scarring and any complications.