Read up on Burns and scalds treatment options at Consumer Reports Health.

Burns and scalds

Key points about treatments

There are lots of different dressings and treatments for minor burns and scalds. No single treatment seems to work any better than the others. The most important thing is to keep your burn clean and covered with a dressing.

There are things you can do to limit the damage when you first get a burn. To read more, see First aid for minor burns and scalds.
Don't put any cream or ointment on your burn.
You need to keep your burn clean, and cover it with a dressing. There are lots of different dressings for burns, although there's not much research to find out if one type works better than another.
You need a dressing that won't stick to your skin, so avoid cotton wool and other fibrous materials.
Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help the pain of minor burns.

This information was last updated on Nov 06, 2008

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment.
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