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First Aid & Emergencies

Call 911 NOW if you are having:

Chest Pain
Difficulty Breathing
Severe Bleeding

Sudden Weakness or Numbness
A Medical Emergency

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Burns - Check Your Symptoms

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Step One

Step Two

Step Three

If you have any of the following symptoms, evaluate those symptoms first.

Chemical has been swallowed that may be a poison or causes burning in the mouth, throat, or the esophagus: call your local Poison Control Center or the National Poison Control Hotline (1-800-222-1222) immediately for information on treatment. When you call the Poison Control Center, have the chemical container with you, so you can read the contents label to the Poison Control person. The Poison Control Center can help determine what steps to take next. You may find additional information in the Poisoning topic.
Chemical burn to the eyes: Go to the topic Burns to the Eye.
A friction burn: Go to the topic Scrapes.


	Yes

Do you have breathing problems or throat problems after breathing in smoke (smoke inhalation)?


	Yes

Have you had an electrical shock or been struck by lightning?


	Yes

Do you have a chemical burn?


	Yes

Does your child have a burn?


	Yes

Do you have a second- or third-degree burn?


	Yes

Do you have a burn that goes completely around (encircles) your arm or leg?


	Yes

Do you think a burn may have been caused by abuse?


	Yes

Do you have continuing pain from a burn?


	Yes

Do you think you have an infection?


	Yes

Do you know or think you need a tetanus shot?


	Yes

Do you have mild difficulty breathing?


	Yes

Do you have noisy breathing or wheezing?


	Yes

Do you have a hoarse voice, difficulty speaking, or are you not able to speak in full sentences?


	Yes

Do you have a lot of coughing?


	Yes

Do you have dark-colored mucus from the nose or mouth?


	Yes

Do you have normal breathing while at rest, but any amount of activity causes shortness of breath?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Did lightning or electrical power cause a burn to the skin? Note: If you are not able to reach your doctor immediately, go directly to the nearest hospital emergency department.


	Yes

Has an electrical shock caused numbness and tingling but no injury to the skin?


	Yes

Were you struck by lightning but you do not have any injuries?


	Yes

Were you shot by a stun gun or Taser but you do not have any injuries?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Do you have a chemical burn?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Does your child have a third-degree burn?


	Yes

Does your child have a second-degree on his or her face, eyelids, ears, hands, feet, groin area, or over a joint?


	Yes

Does your child have a second-degree burn covering from 1% to 10% of his or her body?


	Yes

Does your child have a second-degree burn that is larger than a quarter?Note: Call your doctor today to determine if a visit is needed. Your doctor may not need to see you for your burn, but he or she will want to ask you questions to determine the seriousness of the burn and what steps you need to take next.


	Yes

Is the healing scar from a burn pulling the skin tight or preventing normal movement of the area?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Do you have a third-degree burn on less than 2% of your body?


	Yes

Do you have a second-degree burn on your face, eyelids, or ears?


	Yes

Are you older than age 50 and you have a second-degree burn covering from 1% to 10% of your body?


	Yes

Are you younger than age 50 and you have a second-degree burn covering 2% to 15% of your body?


	Yes

Do you have a second-degree burn on your hands, feet, groin area, or over a joint?


	Yes

Are you older than age 50 and you have a second-degree burn covering less than 1% of your body?


	Yes

Are you younger than age 50 and you have a second-degree burn covering less than 2% of your body?


	Yes

Is the healing scar from a burn pulling the skin tight or preventing normal movement of the area?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Do you have a burn that goes completely around (encircles) your arm or leg?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Do you think a burn may have been caused by abuse?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Do you have severe pain after using home treatment?


	Yes

Do you have moderate pain that is getting worse after using home treatment?


	Yes

Does pain prevent you from cleaning or treating the burn properly?


	Yes

Have you had mild to moderate pain from a burn for longer than 24 hours after home treatment?


	Yes

Is the healing scar from a burn pulling the skin tight or preventing normal movement of the area?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Do you have diabetes?


	Yes

Do you have peripheral arterial disease?


	Yes

Do you have a disease or take a medicine that causes problems with your immune system?


	Yes

Do you have red streaks extending from the burn?


	Yes

Do you have increased pain, swelling, redness, or warmth around the burn?


	Yes

Do you have pus in or around the burn?


	Yes

Do you know or think you have a fever?


	Yes

Have you had mild pain and swelling with redness less than around a burn for 24 hours or longer?


	Yes

Have you had swollen glands (lymph nodes) near a burn for 24 hours or longer?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Are you worried that the burn has gotten dirty or has germs on it and your last tetanus shot was longer than 5 years ago?Note: Something is dirty if it has dirt, soil, spit, or feces on it.


	Yes

Are you not sure when you had your last tetanus shot?


	Yes

Did you not get the first series of tetanus shots?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Other Symptoms to Watch For

If you have any of the following symptoms, evaluate those symptoms first.

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: January 04, 2011

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.