First Aid for Burns & Scalds
For educational purposes only — not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider. For adults 18+.
A burn or scald is one of the most common — and most painful — home injuries, and the first few minutes matter. This guide explains the calm, correct response and how to tell a minor burn from one that needs urgent care.
How to recognise first-, second-, and third-degree burns, the right immediate first aid (and the old myths to avoid), how to treat minor burns and scalds at home, and the clear signs that a burn needs emergency care.
What's inside
- →Degrees of burns — first, second & third
- →The right first steps — cool water, not ice
- →Myths to avoid — no butter, no popping
- →Minor burns & scalds — caring at home
- →Signs of infection — what to watch for
- →When to get urgent care — clear red flags
For educational purposes only
This guide is educational information about first aid and home safety — it is not medical advice, and it is not a substitute for professional medical care or hands-on, certified first-aid and CPR training. It does not diagnose, treat, or replace emergency care. Knowing first aid saves lives, but reading about it is not the same as being trained — consider a certified course (for example through the Red Cross or St John Ambulance). In any real emergency — including severe bleeding, a serious allergic reaction, a seizure, suspected poisoning, or heat stroke — call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately and follow the dispatcher's instructions.