Burns are tissue damage that results from too much sun, hot liquids, flames, chemicals, electricity, steam and other sources. Burns can be minor medical problems or life-threatening emergencies.

The treatment of burns depends on where they are on the body and how bad they are. Sunburns and small scalds can often be treated with first aid. Deep or widespread burns and chemical or electrical burns need medical care right away. Some people need treatment at specialized burn centers and monthslong follow-up care.

Burn symptoms vary depending on how deep the skin damage is. It can take a day or two for the symptoms of a severe burn to develop.

When to see a doctor

Call 911 or seek immediate care for:

Take first-aid measures while waiting for emergency assistance.

A minor burn might need emergency care if it affects the eyes, mouth, hands or genitals. Babies and older adults might need emergency care for minor burns as well.

Call your healthcare professional if you experience:

Also call your health professional if you think you might need a tetanus booster. You may need a booster shot if you haven’t had a tetanus shot in the past five years. Try to get this within three days of the injury.

Burns are caused by:

Risk factors for burns include:

Complications of deep or widespread burns can include:

Burns are very common, and most of them are preventable. Kitchen-related injuries from hot drinks, soups and microwaved foods are especially common among children. You can take steps to reduce the risk of household burns.

Kitchen, car seat and bath hazards

Electrical devices

Fire prevention

Chemical hazards

If you go to a healthcare professional for burn treatment, the health professional figures out how bad your burn is by examining your skin. You may be transferred to a burn center if your burn covers more than 10% of your total body surface area, is very deep, is on the face, feet or groin, or meets other criteria established by the American Burn Association.

Your healthcare professional also checks for other injuries and might order lab tests, X-rays or other diagnostic tests.

Most minor burns can be treated at home. They usually heal within a couple of weeks.

For major burns, after first aid and after a healthcare professional looks at your burns, treatment may involve one or more of the following: medicines, wound dressings, therapy and surgery. The goals of treatment are to control pain, remove dead tissue, prevent infection, lower scarring risk and restore function.

People with major burns may require treatment at specialized burn centers. They may need skin grafts to cover large wounds. And they may need emotional support and months of follow-up care, such as physical therapy.

First aid for major burns

For major burns, apply first aid until emergency help arrives:

Medical treatment

Medicines and products that may help with healing major burns include:

Physical and occupational therapy

If the burned area is large or covers any joints, you may need to do physical therapy exercises. These can help stretch the skin so that the joints remain flexible. Other types of exercises can improve muscle strength and coordination. And occupational therapy may help if you have difficulty doing your daily activities.

Surgery and other treatments

You may need one or more of the following:

Self care

For minor burns, follow these first-aid guidelines:

Whether your burn was minor or serious, use sunscreen and moisturizer regularly once the wound is healed.

What not to do

Coping with a serious burn injury can be a challenge, especially if it covers large areas of the body or is in places readily seen by other people, such as the face or hands. Potential scarring, less mobility and possible surgeries add to the burden.

Consider joining a support group of other people who have had serious burns and know what you’re going through. You may find comfort in sharing your experience and troubles and meeting people who face similar challenges. Ask your healthcare professional for information on support groups in your area or online.

Seek emergency medical care for burns that are deep or involve your hands, feet, face, groin, buttocks, a major joint or a large area of your body. Your healthcare team may recommend an exam by a skin specialist, burn specialist, surgeon or other specialist.

For other burns, you may need an appointment with your family healthcare professional. The information below can help you prepare.

List questions you want to ask your healthcare professional, such as:

What to expect from your doctor

Your healthcare professional is likely to ask you a number of questions, such as:

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