Burns that should go to A&E
Any child under 10 years old with a burn
A large or deep burn
Burns larger than the size of the person’s hand
Burns that have caused white or charred skin
Any sign of shock
- Cold, clammy skin
- Sweating
- Rapid, shallow breathing
- Weakness or dizziness
Inhalation burns
- Breathed in smoke or fumes
- Coughing, sore throat, difficulty breathing, singed nasal hair, facial burns
- High pitched breathing
Burns that we should see on the same day
Burns of patients who have safeguarding concerns
Signs of an infected burn / wound
- Painful, smelly burn
- Patient has a fever
- Blistering on the skin
- Area is hot to touch, swollen
Burns first aid advice
Please provide burn first aid advice to ALL patients who are phoning regarding a burn in the last hour
- immediately get the person away from the heat source to stop the burning
- remove any clothing or jewellery that's near the burnt area of skin, including babies' nappies, but do not move anything that's stuck to the skin
- cool the burn with cool or lukewarm running water for 20 to 30 minutes – do not use ice, iced water, or any creams or greasy substances like butter
- make sure the person keeps warm by using a blanket, for example, but take care not to rub it against the burnt area
- after cooling the burn, cover the burn by placing a layer of cling film over it – a clean plastic bag could also be used for burns on your hand