Get immediate attention for:
<ul>
 <li>Burns to the eyes, mouth, hands, groin, or any large area of skin. </li>
 <li>Burns that cause significant blistering or charring.</li>
 <li>Burns that cause pus-like or foul-smelling drainage.</li>
 <li>Burns that cause excessive swelling or redness of the skin.</li>
 <li>Burns that cause a fever.</li>
 <li>Burns that do not heal in 10 to 14 days.</li>
</ul>
Minor burns may be treated with cool (not cold or ice) compresses, according to the <a href="[BASEDOMAIN]/healthinfo/BounceLink.aspx?Shortcut=acep" target="_blank">American College of Emergency Physicians</a>. 
After cleansing, apply a mild antibiotic ointment and cover the burn with a bandage.
You may need a tetanus shot, even if you have had one within the past 10 years.
Reviewed 7/5/2023

Is it an emergency? Burns

Some burns can be treated at home. Others should send you to the doctor immediately.