Burns
Burnt yourself? Find out how to take off the heat – and heal your skin as fast as possible

ABOUT

All you need to know
about burns

Burns are nasty, but can easily happen while cooking, having a barbecue,
or when working with fire.

Burns from 1 to 3: Know the different degrees of burns

First degree (superficial) burns: these are the lightest degree of burns you can suffer from, and they affect only the epidermis. The burned area is red, slightly swollen, painful, dry, and without blisters. Mild sunburn is an example. Long-term tissue damage from these burns is rare.

Second degree burns: these involve the epidermis and part of the underlying dermis layer of the skin. Often scald injuries or flames cause them. The burn appears red, blistered, swollen and painful.

HOW DEEPLY IS YOUR
SKIN AFFECTED?Third degree burns: third degree burns destroy the epidermis and the dermis and may also even damage the underlying subcutaneous tissue, bones, muscles and tendons. The burn site appears white or charred. There is no sensation in the area since the nerve endings are destroyed.

Cross section of healthy skin; © Elastoplast
Cross section of burned skin (first to third degree) © Elastoplast
Back to top

TREATMENT

Easy-to-follow tips
and advice

You can easily get burned, and chances are that whether it is from fire or a domestic heat source, it will happen as fast as lightning and take you by surprise. Find out what to do, as long as it is not a severe third degree burn, caused by chemicals or larger areas are affected, in which case you need instant medical atttention.

3 steps when treating burns and scalds

Move away from the source and secure the danger area first: Switch off electrical appliances, fight flames or remove hot water or source of heat or flames before treating the casualty.
Cool the burnt or scalded area under cold running water for at least ten minutes or until pain subsides. Do not apply ice. Cooling the burn with water is known to relieve pain and to reduce swelling of the skin as well as blister formation.
Dry the affected area gently and carefully.
Apply a Elastolast SOS Burn Plaster if you need a dressing - it cools instantly, protects and moisturises the wound, reduces the risk of scarring and allows the wound to heal faster.
You can also treat the burn with Elastoplast SOS Burn Spray, which quickly relieves pain and cools burns and scalds.
The soothing foam mousse formula cools the burn to a temperature below the body’s natural pain relief barrier.
DON’T! Never put fat or butter onto burns or remove anything that is stuck to the skin, such as clothing. When in doubt, ask for medical advice.

Expert Tip - SOS Burn plaster

“The SOS Burn Plaster with its soft hydrogel wound pad cools the wound immediately and provides instant pain relief. Another benefit: your wound is securely protected against external influences like pokes, pressure, dirt and infection.

“USING A SPECIALISED
BURN PLASTER WILL ALSO HELP
REDUCE PAIN.”

In case of blistering and broken skin the hydrogel offers moist wound healing conditions and prevents scab formation. Clinical investigations have shown that wounds heal faster in a moist environment and with a reduced likelihood of scarring. Also see: moist wound healing.

Dr. Rainer Wolber, Research & Development Beiersdorf AG

When to seek medical advice:

Even for first and second degree burns you should seek medical advice if the burned area is large or if after initial pain relief the burned area again shows signs of infection such as redness, heat, swelling, pain, itching or burning.

Further, medical attention is necessary if a child is burned, if the burn is on sensitive parts of the body e.g. on the face, or if you have any questions or concerns.

For third-degree burns you should always seek medical attention immediately.

Back to top

SOLUTIONS

Elastoplast products
that might help

You might want to try these products:

Proper care with these products will help your skin recover back to healthy
and unimpaired.

Back to top

PREVENTION

How to prevent
burns –
some safety tips

Fortunately, many burns can be prevented. Most of them happen in the heart of the home - the kitchen. Here are a few tips to help you make your kitchen a safer place.

  • Always stay in the kitchen while food is cooking. Don’t get distracted by phone calls, someone calling from another room etc.
  • Wear protective oven gloves when taking something out of a hot oven.
  • Turn pot and pan handles toward the back or center of the stove so that they won’t turn over.
  • Keep items such as dish towels, plastic bags, and long sleeves away from the heating surface.
  • Never cook while holding a child or pet.
  • Keep small children and pets away from the front of the oven or stove.

Preventing Scalding Burns

Of the many types of burns that can happen in your home, scalds may be the most unexpected. Children who have thinner skin than adults are more likely to receive severe burns from hot liquid. Simple precautions can protect you and your family.
  1. Never warm baby bottles in the microwave; they may heat unevenly and can burn your baby’s mouth.
  2. Be careful when handling kettles, pots and lids of pots with boiling liquid. Steam can easily scald your wrist and hands.
  3. It‘s a good idea to turn pot handles toward the back or center of the stove so children cannot tip pots over.
  4. Keep hot liquids like soup, coffee, or tea away from the edge of counters and tables.
If a burn should occur, follow the steps under TREATMENT and keep your wound covered so that it will have ideal moist wound healing conditions to heal properly. Also, if a blister should appear, leave it alone and do not open its protective roof.
Back to top
Always see your doctor if the wound is deep, bleeding or shows signs of infection like reddening, swelling or warmth. 
Also make sure to seek medical help if you are not able to clean the wound properly.
In case you have diabetes a proper wound care is of special importance. Always discuss any concerns you may have with your doctor and/or podiatrist, even for the care of minor wounds and skin cracks – especially on your feet.
 
Please note that none of the above given tips or recommendations substitute medical advice. Carefully read the instructions for use given in our products‘ packages. Important: consult a health professional in case of any uncertainity of treating your wound properly.
 
The information provided through this website should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. It is not a substitute for professional care or advice. If you have or suspect a health problem, you should consult your doctor. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it, because of something you have read on this website.
For further information regarding Elastoplast products, please contact us via email on Australia.ConsumerServices@Beiersdorf.com. Carefully read the instructions for use given in our products‘ packages.