Burn or scald: what should I do and when should I get it checked?

This page provides general health information and does not replace assessment by a health professional. If you are unsure what care is needed, Shorecare can assess your injury. Call 111 in an emergency

Burns and scalds are common injuries and can happen from hot drinks, boiling water, cooking, heaters, chemicals, sun exposure, friction, electricity, or contact with hot surfaces. Some small burns can be managed with first aid and simple dressings, while others need medical assessment, pain relief, dressings, tetanus protection, follow-up wound care, or referral for hospital or specialist care.

Shorecare can assess burns and scalds, including workplace injuries. If you are unsure whether a burn needs medical care, it is often better to get advice early, especially if the burn is painful, blistered, larger than a small patch of skin, on a sensitive area, or the skin looks pale, white, leathery, charred, numb, or has reduced feeling.

Seek urgent help immediately if:

• The person is very unwell, faint, confused, drowsy, pale, clammy, or has severe pain.

• There is difficulty breathing, smoke inhalation, burns to the face, mouth or throat, or concern about airway injury.

• The burn was caused by electricity, chemicals, explosion, or major trauma.

• The burn is very large, or the skin looks white, leathery, charred, numb, or has reduced feeling.

• The burn involves the face, eyes, hands, feet, genitals, or goes around an arm, leg, finger, toe, chest or neck.

• The person is a baby, young child, older person, pregnant, or has a medical condition that may affect healing, such as diabetes, poor circulation, reduced immunity, or frailty.

A burn should be checked if:

• The burn is larger than a small patch of skin.

• The burn has blisters, broken skin, or significant swelling.

• The burn is on the face, hands, feet, genitals, or over a joint.

• The pain is significant or not settling.

• The burn looks pale, white, leathery, charred, numb, or has reduced feeling.

• The burn was caused by a chemical, electricity, friction, hot oil, steam, or very hot liquid.

• There is redness spreading around the burn, increasing pain, swelling, pus, fever, or the person is feeling increasingly unwell.

• The burn is not healing as expected.

• You are unsure whether the burn needs a dressing, review, or follow-up care.

• You are not sure whether your tetanus immunisations are up to date, especially if the burn is dirty, contaminated, or has broken the skin.

What should I do straight away?

• Make sure the area is safe before helping.

• Remove the person from the source of the burn.

• Cool the burn under cool running water for a minimum of 20 minutes as soon as possible. An ice pack is not the same as cool running water.

• Remove jewellery, watches, rings, or tight clothing near the burn if this can be done easily.

• Cover the burn with a clean, non-stick dressing or clean cloth.

• Keep the person warm, especially babies and young children.

• Use simple pain relief if it can be taken safely.

• Do not use ice, butter, oil, toothpaste, creams, or home remedies on the burn.

• Do not pop blisters.

• Do not remove clothing that is stuck to the burn.

Does every burn need medical care?

No, some very small, superficial burns may heal with good first aid and simple care. However, burns can sometimes be more serious than they first appear, and burns over joints or sensitive areas may need careful dressing and follow-up to support healing and reduce scarring or stiffness.

If you are unsure, we are here to help.

Why does cooling matter?

Cooling the burn helps stop the burning process which can continue even after the heat source has been removed, reduce pain, and limit further skin damage. The usual first aid advice is to cool the burn under cool running water for 20 minutes. Cooling is useful even if it is not done immediately - cool the burn as soon as you are able, up to 3 hours after the initial injury.

For babies and young children, be careful not to make them too cold. Cool the burn area but keep the rest of the child warm.

What about blisters?

Blisters can happen after a burn. Do not pop them yourself. Blisters can protect the injured skin underneath and opening them may increase the risk of infection.

A clinician can assess the burn and advise whether any blister needs specific treatment, dressing, or follow-up care.

How Shorecare can help

Shorecare can assess all burns and scalds.

Depending on the burn, care may include clinical assessment, pain relief, advice, dressings, wound care, tetanus protection, ACC documentation, referral for hospital or specialist care, or follow-up wound care.

If the burn is more serious, Shorecare can assess and stabilise you and arrange transfer to hospital by ambulance if needed.

If you are unsure whether a burn needs medical care, we are here to provide a full assessment. Burns do need to be assessed promptly, so do not delay seeking care.

Frequently asked questions

Can I come to Shorecare for a burn or scald?

Yes. Shorecare can assess many burns and scalds, including hot water burns, cooking burns, contact burns, friction burns, scalds, and burns caused by heating or fire.

Should I put ice on a burn?

No. Cool the burn under cool running water for 20 minutes. An ice pack is not the same as cool running water. Do not use ice, butter, oil, toothpaste, creams, or home remedies.

Should I pop a burn blister?

No. Do not pop burn blisters yourself. A clinician can assess the burn and advise whether any blister needs treatment, dressing, or follow-up care.

Does a burn need a dressing?

Yes, most burns need a dressing to protect the area, reduce pain, support healing and reduce infection risk. A clinician can advise what dressing is suitable and whether follow-up wound care is needed.

Can Shorecare help with burn injuries?

Yes. Shorecare can assess and treat burn injuries, including workplace burns, cooking burns, friction burns and scalds.

When should a burn go to hospital?

Call 111 or go directly to the emergency department if there is difficulty breathing, smoke inhalation, a chemical or electrical burn, a very large burn, a burn that looks white, leathery or charred, a burn to the face, mouth, throat, eyes, hands, feet or genitals, or if the person is very unwell. Shorecare can help with stabilising more serious burns and can arrange transfer to hospital by ambulance if needed.