A burn is damage to your body's tissues caused by heat, chemicals, electricity, sunlight, or radiation. Scalds from hot liquids and steam, building fires and flammable liquids and gases are the most common causes of burns. Another kind is an inhalation injury, caused by breathing smoke.

There are three types of burns:

• First-degree burns damage only the outer layer of skin
• Second-degree burns damage the outer layer and the layer underneath
• Third-degree burns damage or destroy the deepest layer of skin and tissues underneath

Burns can cause swelling, blistering, scarring and, in serious cases, shock, and even death. They also can lead to infections because they damage your skin's protective barrier. Treatment for burns depends on the cause of the burn, how deep it is, and how much of the body it covers. Antibiotic creams can prevent or treat infections. For more serious burns, treatment may be needed to clean the wound, replace the skin, and make sure the patient has enough fluids and nutrition.

A burn is tissue damage caused by heat, chemicals, electricity, sunlight, or nuclear radiation. The most common burns are those caused by hot liquid or steam, building fires, and flammable liquids and gases.

Burns are defined by how deep they are and how large an area they cover. A large burn injury is likely to include burned areas of different depths.

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. Types of burns include:

• First-degree burns damage the outer layer (epidermis) of the skin. These burns usually heal on their own within a week. A common example is a sunburn.
• Second-degree burns damage not only the outer layer but also the layer beneath it (dermis). These burns might need a skin graft—natural or artificial skin to cover and protect the body while it heals—and they may leave a scar.
• Third-degree burns damage or completely destroy both layers of skin including hair follicles and sweat glands and damage underlying tissues. These burns always require skin grafts.
• Fourth degree burns extend into fat, fifth degree burns into muscle, and sixth degree burns to bone.

Cross-section of skin anatomy shows layers and different tissue types. Credit: NIGMS.

Severe burns cause serious, body-wide problems. At the root of most of these problems is the body’s explosive inflammatory response.

A normal inflammatory response protects the body from invaders, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, cancerous cells, toxins, and foreign materials. It activates in response to infection, injury, or other threat. It is designed to destroy the cause of the problem, contain the damage, and clean up the mess left by dead cells and other debris. But when faced with large or deep burns, it can overreact, often making the injury more severe and harming the heart, lungs, blood vessels, kidneys, and other organ systems.

During this inflammatory response, there is fluid loss that can cause a sharp and potentially deadly drop in blood pressure known as shock. Fluid can also become trapped inside the body, leading to swelling known as edema. If tissues and organs do not receive enough oxygen because of shock, edema, or something else, they suffer damage and can fail. The lungs, heart, brain, and kidneys are particularly susceptible.

Infection is also a major concern. Burns damage the skin’s protective barrier, meaning bacteria and other foreign invaders can sneak in. Burns also weaken the immune system, so the body is less able to fight off threats. Infections can take hold not only in the injured area, but also in organs such as the lungs (pneumonia) and bloodstream (sepsis), where they are potentially lethal.

A burn is damage to your body’s tissues caused by heat, chemicals, electricity, sunlight, or radiation. Scalds from hot liquids and steam, building fires, and flammable liquids and gases are the most common causes of burns.

First-degree burns

• What it means: These burns affect only the outer layer of skin (the epidermis)
• What it looks like: The skin is red and painful, like a sunburn
• What might cause it: Spilling a hot drink on yourself

Second-degree burns

• What it means: These burns affect the top two layers of skin (the epidermis and the dermis)
• What it looks like: The skin looks wet or moist, and painful blisters may form
• What might cause it: Accidental contact with a hot stove burner

Third-degree burns

• What it means: These burns affect all three layers of skin (the epidermis, the dermis, and the subcutaneous tissue)
• What it looks like: The skin may turn black, white, or bright red with a leathery appearance
• What might cause it: Getting caught in a fire

If you or someone around you experiences a burn, it’s crucial to act quickly. Here’s a step-by-step guide to treating a burn.

First-degree burns

1. Cool the affected area immediately by running it under cool water or applying a cold, wet compress. Do not apply ice to a burn.
2. Apply petroleum jelly or aloe vera gel a few times a day to help soothe and protect the skin.
3. Consider taking over-the-counter pain medicine (such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen) to ease pain.
4. Protect the affected area from direct heat and sunlight to prevent further damage.

Second-degree burns

1. Follow all first-degree burn treatment steps.
2. Avoid touching or breaking blisters because this can increase the risk of infection.
3. Apply a nonstick bandage if clothing or daily activity might irritate the skin or blisters or if the blisters have broken open.

Third-degree burns

1. Seek immediate medical attention.
2. While waiting for medical help to arrive, cover the affected area in a clean bandage and try to keep it raised above heart level.

Accidental burns can happen just about anywhere in your home, and they’re not always caused by fire. You might get burned by spilling coffee in your lap, touching a hot iron, or misusing certain cleaning products.

Burns are skin or tissue damage, usually caused by heat. Burns can be caused by hot objects or liquid, fire, friction, the sun, electricity, or certain chemicals.

Each year, about a half-million people nationwide seek medical attention for burns. Household burns lead to nearly 7 of 10 admissions to burn centers. The good news is that the number of deaths from severe burns has dropped by more than half over the past 4 decades, in large part because of treatments developed through NIH-funded research.

The severity of a burn depends on the area it covers and how deep the damage goes. First-degree burns affect only the thin top layer of skin. Second-degree burns include the thick lower layer of skin. A third-degree burn is the most serious; it penetrates the entire thickness of the skin, permanently destroying it and the tissue that’s underneath.

You can care for most minor burns at home. If the burn is red and painful with mild swelling or little blistering, then it’s a first-degree or minor second-degree burn.

See a doctor if the burn is dark red and looks glossy with a lot of blistering. These are signs of a deep second-degree burn. Get immediate treatment if the burned skin is dry and leathery, perhaps with white, brown, or black patches. These are signs of third-degree burn.

Burns can become infected with bacteria or other germs if protective layers of skin are lost. Burns can also lead to painful inflammation, as your immune system shifts into gear.

“The immune system response is intended to limit the area of injury and to remove any bacteria,” says Dr. Ronald G. Tompkins, chief of the burn unit at Massachusetts General Hospital. “But sometimes this immune reaction can lead to further harm to the area damaged by the heat.” Proper burn care can help avoid additional damage.

Emergency treatment for third-degree and some second-degree burns may include a blood transfusion and/or extra fluids to help maintain blood pressure. Grafting—placing healthy skin on top of the burn wound—might help promote new skin growth.

Severe burns can lead to widespread inflammation, organ failure, and shock. This sometimes-deadly response can arise a week or two after the initial burn. But doctors can’t tell beforehand which patients might develop this extreme reaction. Tompkins and other NIH-funded scientists are looking for ways to predict and prevent shock and organ failure after burns or trauma.

You can take steps to avoid household burns. Never leave cooking food unattended on the stove. Set your water heater’s thermostat to 120 °F or lower to prevent scalding burns. And install smoke alarms on every floor of your home. Keep yourself and your family safe from unexpected burn injuries.

First Aid for Burns

For minor burns:

• Immerse in fresh, cool water, or apply cool compresses for 10-15 minutes.
• Dry the area with a clean cloth. Cover with sterile gauze or a non-adhesive bandage.
• Don’t apply ointments or butter; these may cause infection.
• Don’t break blisters.
• Over-the-counter pain medications may help reduce inflammation and pain.

Call emergency services (911) if:

• burns cover a large area of the body.
• burns affect the entire thickness of skin.
• the victim is an infant or elderly.
• the burn was caused by electricity, which can lead to “invisible” burns.

Burns are skin or tissue damage, usually caused by heat. Burns often happen in the home. Some are caused by fire. They can also be caused by hot liquid, steam, and certain chemicals.

Burns are defined by how deep they are and how large an area they cover. First degree burns are the least serious. They affect only the thin top layer of skin. A sunburn is a common example. They usually heal on their own within a week. Second-degree burns damage the layer of skin below the outer layer as well. They may leave a scar. Third-degree burns damage or destroy the entire thickness of the skin. They require skin grafts—natural or artificial skin to cover and protect the body while it heals.

It’s important to seek medical care quickly for deep or large burns. Serious burns require professional medical care. Some can even be life-threatening. But research advances over the past few decades have increased the chances of survival for people with severe burns.

Minor burns can often be treated at home. First, clean the area with cool water and dry. Then cover with sterile gauze or a non-adhesive bandage. Avoid breaking blisters because this can cause infection. Call your doctor if the burn has not healed after several weeks or shows signs of infection. These include increased pain, swelling, and redness.

It’s likely you’ll experience a burn at some point. Accidents happen! However, there are some steps you can take to minimize the risk of burns:

• Prevent spills by keeping hot foods and liquids away from table edges.
• Never leave hot beverages or cooking pots and pans unattended around children or pets.
• Use a spill-proof lid when traveling with hot drinks.
• Prevent spills by not overfilling cups or bowls.
• Warn others when serving hot liquids or dishes.
• Always use oven mitts when cooking or handling hot food or drinks.
• Warn others when household appliances such as stoves or irons are hot.

Prevent burns and scalds in the kitchen:

• Place objects so that they cannot be pulled down or knocked over.
• Turn pot handles away from the stove's edge.
• Use dry oven mitts or potholders. Hot cookware can heat moisture in a potholder or hot pad, resulting in a scald burn.
• Wear short, close-fitting or tightly rolled sleeves when cooking.
• Have a "kid-free zone" of at least 3 feet around the stove.

General first aid for burns and scalds:

• Treat a burn right away by putting it in cool water. Cool the burn for three to five minutes.
• Cover burn with a clean, dry cloth. Do not apply creams, ointments, sprays or other home remedies.
• Remove all clothing, diapers, jewelry and metal from the burned area. These can hide underlying burns and retain heat, which can increase skin damage.

Make an escape plan

It is important to have a plan when there are children in your home. Children sometimes need help getting out of the house. They may not know how to escape or what to do unless an adult shows them.

• Have a plan for young children who cannot get outside by themselves. You will need to wake babies and very young children and help them get out. In your plan, talk about who will help each child get out safely.
• It is important to find two ways out of every room in your home, in case one exit is blocked or dangerous to use.
• Choose a meeting place outside your home. Children should know what to do when they hear a smoke alarm and there is no adult around. Help them practice going to the outside meeting place. Teach them to never go back inside a building that is on fire.

Keep children safe from fire and burns

Some children are curious about fire. There are simple steps you can take to keep you and the people you love safer from fire and burns.

• Keep children 3 feet away from anything that can get hot. Space heaters and stove-tops can cause terrible burns. Keep children at least 3 feet away from stoves, heaters or anything that gets hot.
• Keep smoking materials locked up in a high place. Never leave cigarette lighters or matches where children can reach them.
• Never play with lighters or matches when you are with your children. Children may try to do the same things they see you do.

In many cases, health care providers cover the burned area using sterile bandages with topical antibiotics (skin creams or ointments) or long-acting, silver-containing dressings to prevent infection.

For third-degree burns and some second-degree ones, patients need extra fluids to maintain blood pressure and prevent shock. Surgeons may treat large burns by removing burned tissue and covering the burn wound with a skin graft. Depending on the severity, location, and nature of a burn, doctors may treat the injury with a combination of natural skin grafts, artificial skin products, and laboratory-grown epidermis.

Injured body parts need to be exercised to maintain their functionality and range of motion.

People with minor burns may be treated at their local hospital. Those with more serious burns might be transferred to a hospital with a special burn unit. Serious burns include any burns that are likely to lead to impaired physical or psychological recovery.

A few decades ago, burns covering half the body were often fatal. Now, thanks to research—people with burns covering 90 percent of their bodies can survive, although they often have permanent impairments and scars.

NIGMS funds research on how the body responds to and recovers from burns, the best ways to treat these injuries, and the long-term physiological outcomes of people who have been burned. For example, an NIGMS-funded project designed to understand the body’s response to major injury revealed that the bodies of burn survivors require a year or more to recover. Researchers have also learned how to replace skin by growing epidermal skin cells in a laboratory and by developing artificial skin products that can temporarily protect the burned area while the body heals. Past research has revealed new and better ways to replenish fluids, clean wounds, control infection, support nutrition, and minimize pain. Research continues in these areas.