A tetanus booster should be obtained if not administered within the previous 5 years. First degree thermal burns can be treated with local skin care such as aloe vera. Many topical antibiotics and antiseptics are available in the drug store for minor burns. All second and third degree thermal burns and the complicated locations listed above need immediate physician evaluation. Special topical antiseptic creams are used for more serious burns, including silver sulfdiazine, silver nitrate, and mafenide acetate creams.
Any significant burn resulting from electricity, requires immediate physician evaluation.
These burns often result in serious muscle breakdown, electrolyte abnormalities, and occasionally kidney failure. The actual site of damage can be internal and may not be skin surface. The treatment for chemical burns is similar to thermal burns except copious amounts of water should be used to irrigate the effected region. Contaminated clothing should be removed. Do NOT attempt to neutralize the burn with a reciprocal chemical.