Version July 2025
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What are discharge instructions? —
Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care in the emergency department ("ED").
What should I know? —
You came to the ED for a burn. Doctors describe burns based on how many layers of skin were burned:
●Superficial burns only involve the top layer of skin. Your skin will be dry, red or discolored, and painful.
●Partial-thickness burns involve the top 2 layers of skin. Your skin will be red or discolored and leak fluid, and you might get blisters. The burn might leave a scar.
●Full-thickness burns involve all layers of skin. The burn does not usually hurt, and the burned skin can be white, gray, or black, and dry. These burns most often need treatment in the hospital and might require surgery.
How quickly your burn will heal depends on the kind of burn and how large it is.
How do I care for myself at home? —
Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
You should also do the following:
●Call your regular doctor and tell them you were in the ED. Make a follow-up appointment if you were told to.
●Keep the burn clean by washing the area daily with soap and lukewarm water. Pat dry.
●Keep the burn covered with a clean dressing. Some dressings include a piece of gauze that prevents it from sticking to the wound. The doctor might tell you to apply a thin layer of a special cream to help the burn heal.
●Change the dressing once a day, as instructed. Also, change the dressing if it gets wet or dirty.
●Each time you change the dressing, look closely at the burn to make sure it is healing. It is normal for it to have some yellowish or clear discharge.
●Always wash your hands before and after touching the burn and dressing.
●Do not pick any scabs, scratch the area, or pop any blisters.
●Do not soak the burn in water or swim. This can slow healing and raise your chance of getting an infection.
●Prop the burned area on pillows, keeping it above the level of your heart. This helps lessen pain and swelling.
●Take all your medicines as instructed:
•You might have gotten a prescription for strong pain medicines. If so, follow all instructions for taking them.
•You can also take non-prescription medicines to relieve pain instead, such as acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol), ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (sample brand name: Aleve).
When should I get emergency help?
●Return to the ED if:
•You still have very bad pain even after taking pain medicines.
•Your burn has signs of infection, such as:
-Thick yellow or green discharge
-The area becoming swollen, or more redness around the area
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for advice if you have:
●A fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or chills
●A bad smell coming from the burn
●Streaks on your skin going away from the burn, or streaks going up your arm or leg
●New or worsening symptoms
Patient education: Skin burns (The Basics)
Patient education: Chemical skin burn (The Basics)
Patient education: Electrical burns (The Basics)
