Burns

Symptoms

• First-degree burn: Red, dry, painful skin with no blisters, affecting only the outer layer; mild sunburn is a common example.
• Second-degree burn: Blisters, wet or shiny skin, swelling, and significant pain; the burn extends into the deeper skin layer.
• Third-degree burn: White, brown, black, or leathery skin that may feel numb because nerve endings are damaged.
• Spreading redness, warmth, pus, or increasing pain after a day or two: Signs the burn may be infected.
• Cough, hoarseness, singed nasal hairs, or trouble breathing: Signs of possible airway or smoke-inhalation injury after a fire.

When It's an Emergency

Call 911 or go to the nearest ER for any burn with trouble breathing, a burn to the airway, or burns from a house or enclosed-space fire where smoke may have been inhaled. These can involve life-threatening swelling of the airway.

Seek emergency care for deep (third-degree) burns of any size, for burns larger than about three inches across, and for burns that wrap fully around an arm, leg, finger, or the chest. Also go to the ER for burns on the face, hands, feet, genitals, or over a major joint, where scarring and loss of function are real risks.

All electrical burns and significant chemical burns need emergency evaluation, even if the skin looks minor, because damage can extend deep beneath the surface. For chemical exposure you can also call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 while arranging care.

Get emergency care if a burn victim shows confusion, fainting, a fast heartbeat, or signs of shock, or if the burn is on an infant, older adult, or someone with diabetes or a weakened immune system.

Bellaire ER evaluates and stabilizes burns 24/7, treats most in a single visit, and coordinates rapid transfer to a specialized burn center when one is needed.

When It's Not an Emergency

Most small first-degree burns and small (under about three inches) second-degree burns on low-risk areas can be cared for at home. Cool the burn under cool — not ice-cold — running water for about 10 to 20 minutes, then cover it loosely with a clean, non-stick dressing.

Telemedicine or an urgent care visit is reasonable when you are unsure how deep a small burn is, need guidance on wound care, or want a burn checked for early infection without red-flag symptoms. Over-the-counter pain relievers and keeping the area clean are usually enough for minor burns.

Watch a healing burn for a day or two. If redness spreads, pus develops, pain worsens, or you develop a fever, have it evaluated promptly, as these suggest infection.

What Happens at Bellaire ER

At Bellaire ER, a board-certified emergency physician evaluates the burn's depth, size, and location to determine severity. Deep or large burns, and those on high-risk areas like the hands, face, or joints, are assessed for the risk of infection, scarring, and loss of function.

Treatment typically includes cleaning the wound, removing dead tissue when needed, applying appropriate dressings, and managing pain. We check whether your tetanus vaccination is current and can update it on-site. Our full lab and on-site imaging (X-ray, CT, ultrasound) are available if a fall, electrical injury, or inhalation injury needs to be ruled out.

We diagnose and treat in a single visit, and most patients are treated and discharged with a clear wound-care and follow-up plan. If a burn is severe enough to require a specialized burn center or admission, we stabilize you first and coordinate the transfer.

Prevention

Set your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or lower and test bath water before use to prevent scald burns, the most common burn in young children. Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove and keep hot liquids away from table and counter edges.

Install and maintain smoke alarms on every level of your home, keep space heaters clear of anything flammable, and use caution with grills, fireworks, and gasoline. Wear sunscreen and protective clothing to prevent sunburn, and store household chemicals safely out of children's reach.