When to Seek Care for a Burn? | Urgent Care Clinic Omaha & Bellevue

When to Seek Care for a Burn?

When to Seek Care for a Burn?

Treatment of burns is decided based on location, depth, size of burn, types of burns, burned areas and person’s age.

Things to consider when seeking Omaha Urgent Care:

  • Deep burns located on the face, hands, feet and groin can lead to severe disability if not treated properly
  • Children under 5 and Adults over 55 are prone to deeper burns
  • From scalding water, can increase in depth up to 48 hours after injury
  • Burns increase risk for skin infection
  • Tetanus needs to be up to date after a significant burn
  • Children poorly communicate pain level

Classification:

  • Superficial burns do not blister but are painful, dry, red, and blanch with pressure.
  • Superficial partial-thickness burns form blisters within 24 hours. They are painful, red, weep and blanch with pressure.
  • Deep partial-thickness burns damage hair follicles and deeper tissue. They are painful to pressure only, almost always blister, are wet or waxy in appearance, and have variable coloration from white to red. They do not blanch with pressure.
  • Full-thickness burns appearance can vary from waxy white to leathery gray to charred and black. The skin is dry and inelastic and does not blanch with pressure. Hairs can easily be pulled from hair follicles. Vesicles and blisters do not develop.

Superficial Burn Injuries

Superficial burns can be treated at home if small in size and when person has no additional comorbidities. Healing is usually a quick process and treatment at a medical center is rarely needed.

Superficial partial-thickness burns should be assessed by a medical provider to determine the full extend of the burn and if additional medical attention is needed. Creams can be prescribed to aid in healing and prevent infection. Deep partial thickness and full-thickness burns should be evaluated emergently.

Home Care Medical Treatment

  • Do not pop blisters. Popping blisters increases risk for infection.
  • Do not put hand in ice or ice-cold running water after injury as this can deepen the burn. Room temperature or slightly cool water can provide pain relief.
  • Dressing with a sterile covering such as a gauze bandage can lower risk for infection.
  • Pain relief with Tylenol or NSAID such as Ibuprofen or naproxen can offer pain relief.

Our Urgent Care Walk-In Clinics in Omaha, Bennington, West Omaha, Rockbrook, Crossroads & Bellevue, NE

Our staff works to provide prompt, personal, and professional care for all of our patients. We strive to provide the attention patients need in as quick a time as possible. Urgent Care Clinics in Omaha & Bellevue, Nebraska has three locations in the Omaha metropolitan area. Our three walk-in clinics are:

Disclaimer
The information contained on this webpage is for educational purposes as well as to provide general information and general understanding of the pertinent medical issue only, not to provide a specific diagnosis. This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. By using this blog/web site you understand there is no doctor patient relationship between you and the blog/web site publisher. The information included on this site should not be used as a substitute for medical advice from a licensed medical professional in your state. Neither Urgent Care Network, its subsidiaries, affiliates, assignees or successors in interest, nor any other party assume liability for loss or damage due to reliance on content of this blog/web site. If you are experiencing a severe medical issue, you should seek emergency assistance immediately.