Summarize the following:
The burn may have become infected or be more severe than you initially thought. Keep the burn properly dressed or covered and head to your doctor's office right away. These are signs that burn has become infected or more severe. Go to your doctor's office right away, as you are at risk of developing serious health issues due to the burn. Your doctor will clean the burn and examine it to determine how severe it is. They may ask you how you got the burn and how long ago you got the burn. As a precaution, they may give you an injection of tetanus to prevent bacteria from infecting the burn. For second degree burns, they will apply a hydrocolloid dressing, which contains gel that helps the burn to heal. You will need to change the dressing every 3-5 days until the burn heals. They may also give you prescription pain medication. If you have a third or fourth degree burn, your doctor will recommend debriding, where the burned tissue is removed, or a skin graft to cover the damaged skin. Most health insurance plans will cover the cost of treating second, third, and fourth degree burns. Speak to your insurance representative for more information.
See your doctor if the burn does not heal after 2-3 weeks. Get medical attention if the burn has a foul smell and the skin turns black. Let your doctor assess the burn. Discuss treatment options for the burn.