If the patient does not need an ambulance, take the following steps:
- Keep the injury covered in a dry, sterile dressing. Change this daily. Keep a dressing on the burn for at least 10 days. Remove when the injured area looks like it’s healing. At this point, the patient should be able to tolerate exposure to air.
- Take over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication.
- Look for signs of infection. This may include a fever, drainage or pus, or a change in the appearance of the injury. If you suspect an infection, call a doctor at once.
- If the person becomes short of breath, seek immediate medical care.