Burn treatment at Prestige ER

When you suffer a burn, every second counts. At Prestige ER, we understand that burn injuries require immediate attention to prevent complications, reduce pain, and promote healing. That’s why we offer emergency burn treatment with little to no wait times—ensuring you receive expert care the moment you walk through our doors, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Burns, no matter their severity, can be alarming and overwhelming. Knowing the right steps can help you heal more effectively and prevent complications like infection.

With dramatically reduced wait times and board-certified emergency physicians on-site, Prestige ER delivers the urgent, compassionate care you deserve.

Keep reading to learn about the different types of burns, how to treat them, identify their severity, and when to seek emergency care.

Common causes of burns

Common causes of burns include:

Heat (fire, hot liquids, steam, hot surfaces)
Chemicals (cleaners, acids, or industrial chemicals)
Electricity (electrical currents or faulty wiring)
Radiation (sun exposure, medical or industrial radiation)

Types of burns

First-degree burns

A first-degree burn is a superficial burn that only affects the top layer of skin. These burns are usually red, dry, and painful but do not blister.

Sun exposure, scalds, or electricity commonly cause first-degree burns.

First-degree burn treatment

Here is how you can safely treat superficial burns at home:

Cool the burn (e.g., with cool water or a cold or wet compress).
Apply petroleum jelly two or three times a day to keep the skin moist and promote healing.
Cover the burn with a clean, non-stick dressing, gauze, or bandage.
Take over-the-counter pain medication if needed.
Avoid sun exposure.

Second-degree burns

A second-degree burn, or partial-thickness burn, affects the outer and underlying layers of the skin. These burns are red, swollen, painful, and blistering.

The skin may appear shiny and moist, and the layers may peel away as it heals.

Second-degree burns are commonly caused by direct contact with heat, electricity, chemicals, or friction.

If your burn covers a large area of skin (e.g., more than three inches in diameter), shows signs of infection, or is located on the face, neck, hands, feet, groin, buttocks, or a major joint, seek immediate medical attention at Prestige ER, where you’ll experience little to no wait times and receive prompt, expert treatment.

Second-degree burn treatment

Treatment may include:

Cooling the burn with cool water for 5-30 minutes reduces pain and prevents further damage.
Gently clean the burn with mild soap and water to remove debris and lower your risk of infection.
Cover the burn with a clean, non-stick dressing, gauze, or bandage.
Take over-the-counter pain medication if needed.

Never apply ice, break blisters, or use butter, ointments, or pain-relief sprays on second-degree burns.

Third-degree burns

A third-degree or full-thickness burn involves all layers of skin, often including the underlying fat and muscle tissue.

Your skin may appear stiff, waxy, white, leathery, or gray. These burns are severe and require urgent medical intervention.

At Prestige ER, you’ll receive immediate care with minimal wait times, including advanced treatments like skin grafting to close the wound.

Steam, hot oil, grease, chemicals, electrical currents, and scalding liquids are common causes of third-degree burns. These burns carry a very high risk of infection and require treatment from a skilled medical professional as soon as possible to avoid complications.

Prestige ER is equipped to provide immediate, expert burn treatment, including:

Sterile burn cleaning to remove debris, dead skin, and tissue.
Antibiotic ointment and proper wound dressing to keep your burn clean and dry and limit your risk of infection.
Intravenous or oral antibiotics to prevent or clear an infection.
Intravenous fluid replacement if your burn is large or severe to prevent shock.
Pain relievers as needed.
Coordination with specialists for skin grafting or reconstructive surgery to help your wound close and repair any severe damage.

With no wait times and board-certified emergency physicians on-site, Prestige ER ensures you receive the urgent care you need without delay.

Fourth-degree burns

Fourth-degree burns are the most severe and deepest burns. They can be life-threatening and affect all layers of the skin, as well as the muscles, tendons, bones, and nerves.

Treatment for a fourth-degree burn is a medical emergency and requires immediate surgical intervention and emergency room services.

At Prestige ER, you’ll receive life-saving care with little to no wait times. Our team is ready to act the moment you arrive.

Choose Prestige ER for emergency burn care with minimal wait times

When burns happen, time matters. Prestige Emergency Room provides rapid, reliable burn care with no wait times—ensuring you receive the expert treatment you need the moment you arrive. We also provide care for several other medical emergencies.

We are a veteran-owned facility that provides personalized, expert care to you and your family, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Find a location near you and experience the difference that no wait times and compassionate, board-certified emergency care can make.

FAQs about burn treatment

What should I do first if I get burned?

If you have a severe fourth-degree burn covering a large area of skin, go to your nearest Prestige ER location immediately for life-saving care with minimal wait times.

First-, second-, and third-degree burns should be treated with cool running water for at least 10 minutes to cool the skin, remove debris, prevent further damage, and reduce the risk of infection.

How can I heal a burn quickly?

If you have a mild to moderate burn that has been properly treated, keep your wound clean and dry to promote faster healing. It is also essential to follow your healthcare provider’s after-care instructions. For more serious burns, visit Prestige ER for near-immediate treatment.

Can urgent care treat burns?

Urgent care can treat minor first-degree burns and small second-degree burns. Still, severe burns covering large areas or affecting critical body parts require emergency room treatment for advanced care like IV fluids, infection management, and potential skin grafting.

When should I go to the emergency room for a burn?

If you’ve sustained a burn that covers more than three inches in diameter or is covering the face, hands, feet, genitals, buttocks, or a major joint, go to your nearest Prestige ER location immediately. With no wait times, you’ll receive a thorough evaluation and prompt treatment to avoid further complications.

What are common mistakes to avoid when treating burns?

When caring for a burn, avoid these common mistakes that can worsen the injury or delay healing:

Do not apply ice directly to the burn, as it can further damage the skin.
Do not break blisters, which can increase the risk of infection.
Do not use butter, oils, or greasy substances, as they trap heat and bacteria.
Do not pull off clothing that is stuck to the burn.
Do not soak the burn for long periods, which can irritate the skin.

Seek emergency care right away for severe burns, especially those involving the face, hands, feet, genitals, buttocks, or major joints.

At Prestige ER, you’ll receive prompt evaluation and expert treatment to help protect your recovery.

Can burns leave permanent scars?

Yes. Burn scars are permanent but may fade over time. Treatments are available to help reduce the appearance of burn scars and improve skin flexibility. Once your burn is completely healed, talk to your primary healthcare provider to determine if scar reduction treatments are right for you.