Minor Burns

It is important to determine the extent of damage to the body tissue in order to classify a minor burn from a serious burn.

The classifications of first-degree, second-degree, and third-degree burns will help provide direction towards emergency care. The medical professionals at Urgent Care Wellington, located in Wellington, Florida, can provide relief for minor burns.

First-degree Burns

A first-degree burn impacts only the outer layer of skin and is the least serious. Common minor burn events may be an accidental touch to the stove or a curling iron. This may cause the burned skin to redden and swell, and some pain may be present. Minor skin-burn treatment may include an antibiotic ointment to prevent infection or pain relief for immediate burn care.

It is recommended to treat a first-degree burn as minor, unless it involves a significant portion of the face, hands, feet, groin, buttocks, or a major joint, which requires immediate medical attention.Healing time for a first-degree burn may be quicker the sooner you treat the burn.

This burn affects the top layer of the skin, so once the skin cell shed, the signs and symptoms usually disappear within 7 to 10 days without scarring.

Second-degree Burns

A minor second-degree burn occurs when the first and second layer of the skin (dermin) has been burned. Common symptoms include blistering of the skin, intense reddening, and severe pain and swelling. A second-degree burn may be treated as a minor burn if it is no larger than 3 inches (7.6 centimeters) in diameter.

If a second-degree burn does occur, it’s recommended to run the skin under cool water for 15 minutes or longer. Taking over-the-counter pain medications can help with the discomfort. Applying antibiotic cream helps with the blisters.

It is important to keep the burn area and bandaging it properly to reduce the risk of infection. Second degree burns can take much longer to heal than a first-degree burn. It can take longer than two to three weeks to heal without scarring.

Major Burns — Call 9-1-1 Now

If the burned area is larger than three inches or involves a significant portion of the face, hands, feet, groin, buttocks or a major joint, it should be treated as a major burn and requires emergency medical attention. It is very important that major burns are treated immediately, as they can cause long-term health problems.

If you have been severely burned, please call 9-1-1 or go to the emergency room for care for your burn and immediate medical attention. Severe, major burns require medical treatment. 

Infection Warning Signs

It’s also crucial to not let the burn area get infected as the skin around a burn can cause blisters and fill with fluid — thus becoming vulnerable to infection. If an infection occurs, it can cause long term skin damage. By getting treatment immediately at an urgent care center, a medical professional can help minor burns not turn into an infection.

Minor Burn Treatment

Minor burns can be treated with cooling the affected area, covering with sterile gauze, and common pain relief methods. A topical cream, such as silver sulfadiazine, may be used as a treatment for burns. It can provide minor burn pain relief as well as working to stop the growth of bacteria to avoid infection.

Urgent Care for Burns

An urgent care center is the best place to accurately diagnose your minor burn and learn about the best way to treat your injury. If the injury is minor, then you may receive instructions on first and second-degree burn pain relief and start feeling better, sooner.

According to The National Institute of General Medical Sciences, deep burns heal more slowly, are more difficult to treat, and are more prone to complications such as infections and scarring. Very deep burns are the most life-threatening of all and may require amputation.

If the burn is becoming worse, a trip to an urgent care center can help with the pain. It can also get your injury in front of the right specialist so that your burn injury does not become a much longer one.

Wellington Physicians Urgent Care provides first-degree and second-degree burn treatment in the Wellington, Florida, area. The medical professionals at Wellington Physicians can help you relieve the burn pain and prevent infection.

Contact Us Today

Wellington Physicians Urgent Care, located in Wellington, Florida, is open seven days a week with convenient daytime and evening hours for patients needing urgent care treatment. Wellington Physicians Urgent Care’s team of medical professionals are here to help with your minor burn to help relieve the pain and get you feeling better, sooner.

Walk-in or make a reservation online.  →