First-Degree Burn

What is a first-degree burn?

A first-degree burn is the mildest type of burn. It affects only the top layer of your skin (epidermis). First-degree burns are painful, but they typically heal within seven to 14 days with at-home care.

A first-degree burn is now called a superficial burn or epidermal burn. These are terms you might hear your healthcare provider use. In the medical world, a first-degree burn is “superficial” because it only affects your epidermis and doesn’t go down any deeper into your skin.

What does a first-degree burn look like?

A first-degree burn is a patch of skin that looks red or reddish-brown. It’s dry and doesn’t have any blisters. If you press on the area with your finger, the skin may temporarily turn lighter in color (blanch).

How do you tell if a burn is first, second or third degree?

It’s not always easy to tell the severity of a burn just by how it looks or feels. But here are some key features of each type of burn:

• First-degree burn (superficial burn): These burns feel warm and painful. Your skin looks dry and red or reddish-brown. There aren’t any blisters.
• Second-degree burn (partial thickness burn): These affect the middle skin layer (dermis). Your skin may look moist and blistered. It may be red or reddish-brown (milder burns) or white to yellow (severe burns). Pain varies by burn depth (deeper burns may have less pain).
• Third-degree burn (full thickness burn): These affect all three layers of your skin. You likely won’t feel pain due to nerve damage. Your skin may look charred, leathery and paler than normal.

If your skin is dry and there aren’t blisters, you likely have a first-degree burn that you can manage at home. But if there’s any doubt, don’t try to self-diagnose. See a healthcare provider. It’s possible to have multiple types of burns at the same time — for example, a first-degree burn surrounding a second-degree burn. A provider can make sure you get proper treatment no matter your situation.

What are the most common causes of a first-degree burn?

Common causes of first-degree burns include:

• Sun exposure: Sunburn is a common type of first-degree burn among adults and children.
• Contact with hot water (scalds): This is the most common cause of burns in kids. Scalds often happen in the kitchen. They can also happen during bathing, especially when bathing a small child in a sink. Kids may accidentally turn on the hot water tap.
• Contact with a hot surface: Many different surfaces can be hot enough to burn you or your child. These include hot pots or pans, oven surfaces and hair styling devices (curling irons or straighteners).

What is the treatment for a first-degree burn?

You can usually treat a first-degree burn at home. But the moment a burn happens, you might not immediately know the burn depth or severity. Here’s what to do:

1. If possible, remove any clothing that’s covering the affected area. If the fabric sticks to the burn, don’t try to peel it off — instead, seek medical care right away. Trying to peel it off may further damage your skin.
2. Remove anything that might become too tight if the affected skin swells — like a watch, bracelet or belt. For babies, this includes a diaper.
3. Run the affected skin under cool (not cold) water for 20 minutes. This can help minimize the burn depth and support healing. Do NOT apply ice or butter. These can harm your skin.
4. Look at your skin. If it’s red or reddish-brown but you don’t see any blisters forming, it’s likely a first-degree burn that you can continue to treat at home (see below). If you notice blisters or other signs of more severe damage, seek medical care immediately.

Even though first-degree burns are minor, they can be quite painful. You can ease discomfort by:

• Taking over-the-counter pain medications, like ibuprofen or acetaminophen
• Applying aloe vera or a moisturizer containing emollients to your skin

How long does it take for a first-degree burn to heal?

The burn should heal within seven to 14 days. Your skin may peel or flake as it heals. This is normal. There’s typically no scar once your skin heals.

How can I prevent first-degree burns?

Here are some tips for preventing first-degree (and more serious) burns.

Protect your skin from the sun

Sun exposure is a common cause of first-degree burns — but it doesn’t have to be. One of the best things you can do is wear sunscreen every day. That’s true even if you don’t think you’ll be outside for long (that quick walk around the block can easily turn into an hour-long chat with a neighbor).

Be sure to:

• Apply sunscreen to all areas of exposed skin and reapply often.
• Replace your sunscreen when it expires or you’ve had it for three years.
• Look into sun-protective clothing for additional protection if you love outdoor workouts or spend lots of time in the sun.

Focus on kitchen safety

There’s a lot that can go wrong in the kitchen, including contact with hot surfaces and liquids. Make sure you:

• Wear long oven mitts that protect your hands and forearms when reaching into the oven.
• Arrange pots and pans so the handles don’t stick out (all it takes is one nudge to send hot water flying).
• Never hold your child while cooking or handling hot liquids.
• Teach your kids to stay at least three feet away from the stove while it’s in use.

Manage water temperature

If possible, adjust the setting on your home water heater so it’s no higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit (48.8 degrees Celsius). Anything higher can risk scalding your skin.

When bathing your child, always check the water temperature (using a thermometer or your wrist or your elbow) before putting your child in. The water should be no higher than 100 F (37.7 C) and should feel warm — not hot — to the touch.

Should you go to the hospital for a first-degree burn?

First-degree burns usually don’t require medical care. But it’s not always easy to tell the “degree” when you’re sitting there in pain. If you’re considering going to the hospital for a burn, that likely means you should. It’s better to learn the burn is minor than to delay care for something more serious.

Go to the emergency room right away for any burn that:

• Is larger than the palm of your hand (anywhere on your body)
• Has blisters
• Looks leathery, charred or paler than your usual skin tone
• Causes severe or worsening pain
• Looks deep
• Doesn’t hurt (severe burns cause nerve damage, so you may not feel pain)
• Leaks yellow or green discharge (this is a sign of infection)

Infants and adults over age 65 with any type of burn should receive immediate medical care.

What is a thermal burn?

A thermal burn is a burn due to heat. You can get a thermal burn from:

• Flames
• Steam
• Hot liquids, like water or grease
• Hot surfaces, like a stove or curling iron

Thermal burns can range from very mild (first-degree burns) to severe or life-threatening. How a thermal burn affects you depends on the heat source and how long it’s in contact with your skin.

Some people have a higher risk of thermal burns because of their line of work. But thermal burns can happen to anyone in just an instant — for example, when taking a pan out of the oven or getting too close to a bonfire. It can be easy to overlook how many heat sources we’re around in any given day.

Your healthcare provider can give you tips for preventing thermal burns and keeping your whole family safe.