Outpatient / General Medicine
Burns
# *** Degree Burn of ***
Intake:
-- Etiology: *** cooking, liquid, fire, sun, chemical, electrical
-- Location(s): ***
-- Size: *** estimated % BSA
-- Signs/Symptoms: *** erythema vs black/white, wet vs dry, pain vs. loss of sensation, blisters
- Refer to ER: *** more than 3 inches, on hand/face/genitals, no pain, white/black; do not put anything on area
-- Home Treatment: *** cool water/compress, OTC ibuprofen and tylenol, aloe vera or vaseline, antibiotic ointment, wrapping
Plan
- Antibiotic ointment with dry-to-wet wrapping
- OTC ibuprofen or tylenol for analgesia
- Call if c/f infection or not healing appropriately
Template PDF coming soon!
Patient Guidance and Information
First-Degree Burn
It appears that you have a first-degree (superficial) burn. This can be managed at home.
Please wash the area gently with soap and room temperature or cool water. You can feel free to use lotions or ointments like aloe vera or other over-the-counter burn topical medicines, but this is not necessary. You can also use over-the-counter ibuprofen or tylenol to help with any pain if needed.
Your burn should heal over the next 3-6 days and should not leave a scar.
Please call our office if you note any spreading redness or swelling beyond the site of the initial burn, or it starts to drain purulent material which may indicate a developing infection.
Second-Degree Burn
It appears that you have a second-degree (partial-thickness) burn. Based on your specific burn, this can be managed at home.
Please wash the area gently with soap and room temperature or cool water. Please do not pop or break any blisters, as they help protect against infections. We recommend using an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment (bacitracin, mupirocin, etc.). After this is applied, please then wrap the area with a “wet” wrap such as Xeroform, and then cover the wet wrap with a dry, loose bandage such as Kerlix. You can use lotions or other ointments like aloe vera or other over-the-counter burn topical medicines, but this is not necessary. You can also use over-the-counter ibuprofen or tylenol to help with any pain if needed.
Your burn should heal over the next 7-21 days and may leave a scar.
Please call our office if you believe the burn is not healing appropriately over that time period, or if you note any spreading redness or swelling beyond the site of the initial burn, or it starts to drain purulent material which may indicate a developing infection.
If You Remember Nothing Else
Keep the area clean and dry and do not pop any blisters on purpose. OTC antibiotic ointments are fine to use. Most first and second degree burns should heal over the course of a week or two.
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