Burns can be caused by fires, cooking, hot surfaces, chemicals, or electricity. Depending on the severity of the burn will depend on where it should be treated. Over 450,000 burns are treated annually in emergency rooms, but with urgent care centers growing, patients can save both time and money. AFC Urgent Care Boulder and AFC Louisville are here to help give all patients the care they need. Learn more about the types of burns treatable at AFC Urgent Care and visit us today.

Burns Treated at AFC Urgent Care

Any burn that is second degree or higher or is covering a large portion of the body requires medical attention. First-degree burns can often be treated at home with first aid care. Third and fourth-degree burns require emergency care. Visit your local emergency room or call 911 if you or another person are suffering from third or fourth-degree burns. To determine what type of burn it is, continue reading to different degrees.

The purpose of receiving care for burns is mainly to relieve pain and prevent infection. Severe burns will also require treatment to have a positive cosmetic outcome. Always receive medical treatment for burns more severe than first degree. If left untreated, you may experience increased pain, redness, discharge, and a fever of over 100 degrees. These are all signs of infection.

Burn First Aid

First aid care for burns should only happen initially and for first degree burns. All more severe burns should receive urgent treatment. Burns that are superficial and similar to sunburns, are smaller than 3 inches, and have minor pain can all be treated at home. For first-degree burns, run the affected area under cool (not cold) water or apply a cold compress. Don’t break any blisters that may appear, as they are designed to help the area heal. Apply lotion such as aloe vera once the skin has cooled down. Lastly, be sure to take OTC medications for pain as needed.

For more severe burns, as you are waiting for emergency treatment, remove any jewelry, belts, or restrictive garments to avoid restriction from swelling. Use a moist bandage or cool, clean cloth to cover the area and avoid further damage. Do not immerse the area in cold water. Elevate the affected area above the heart and be aware of symptoms of shock, such as fainting, shallow breathing, or a pale complexion.

Different Burn Degrees

First Degree Burn

First-degree burns often cause redness and minor pain. Only the outermost layer of skin is affected. Mild sunburns are examples of first-degree burns. These can be treated at home and will likely not cause any long-term damage.

Second Degree Burn

The first two layers of skin are impacted for second-degree burns. A patient’s skin is red, may appear shiny, and is swollen. The burn will be painful, and blisters will appear. Superficial second-degree burns will not cause any long-term damage, but deeper second-degree burns can cause permanent discoloration in the skin. Receive medical attention from AFC Boulder or AFC Louisville for second-degree burns.

Third Degree Burn

Third-degree burns destroy the top two layers of skin. They may not appear red, but rather black, brown, white, or yellow. The pain is not as severe where the burn is because the nerve endings have been damaged. Receive emergency care from an emergency room for this type of burn.

Forth Degree Burn

Fourth-degree burns are the deepest and most severe. They can be life-threatening. Bones, muscles, or tendons may be damaged during fourth-degree burns. Burns can often lead to further complications, which is why it is so important to receive medical care.