Do Burns Need Air to Heal?

Burns do need air to heal. Because of this, it is not recommended to apply butter, petroleum jelly, ointment, oil, or grease to a burn. Doing so can trap heat and cause further damage to the burn.

Skin burns are a common injury that can result from exposure to a number of sources, including fire or hot objects, hot water, steam, chemicals, electricity, friction, radiation, and overexposure to the sun.

The 4 Types of Burns

There are different types of burns. In the past, burns were classified as first, second, third, or fourth degree, but they are currently categorized to better describe which burns require surgical treatment.

• Superficial skin burn (formerly “first-degree burn”): affects only on the top layer of skin
• Superficial partial-thickness burn (formerly “second-degree burn”): affects the top 2 layers of skin, but does not go deep into the second layer
• Deep partial-thickness burn (formerly “third-degree burn”): also affects the top 2 layers of skin, but is deeper than a superficial partial-thickness burn 
• Full-thickness burn (formerly “fourth-degree burn”): affects all the layers of the skin and often the fat and muscle underneath 

Burn classification can change over a few days. A burn may seem superficial initially, become deeper over time. 

Burn wounds need air to heal, which is why applying butter, petroleum jelly, ointment, oil, or grease to a burn is not advised. These substances also trap heat in the burned area which can further damage tissue. 

How to Treat a Burn

For minor burns that do not require a doctor visit, there are steps you can take to help prevent infection, treat pain, and help the burn heal more quickly. Home treatment for minor burns includes:

• Clean the burn 
  • Remove clothing covering the area
    • If clothing sticks to the burn, see a doctor 
  • Wash the burned area gently with plain soap and cool water 
  • It is not necessary to disinfect the skin with alcohol, iodine, or other cleansers
• Cool the burn
  • After cleaning, use a cool compress or cool cloth on the skin
  • Do not use ice on burned skin
• Prevent infection 
  • Wash the burn daily with plain soap and cool water 
  • If the burn is deeper than the top layer of skin, to help prevent infection apply topical aloe vera or a topical antibiotic such as bacitracin
  • Do not apply home remedies such as mustard, egg whites, mayonnaise, lavender oil, or toothpaste to skin burns
  • If the burn blisters, cover it with a clean, non-stick bandage and change the bandage once or twice daily as needed
  • Do not pop blisters, due to increased risk of infection
• Treat pain 
  • Over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) may be used  
  • If pain is not controlled with OTC pain relievers, contact your doctor
  • Topical numbing medications should not be used regularly on burn wounds, because they may irritate the skin
  • Elevate burns on the hand or foot to above the level of the heart to help prevent swelling and pain
• Avoid scratching a burn
  • Scratching can increase the risk of infection
  • Over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) may help relieve itch
  • Use a moisturizing lotion to hydrate skin and prevent dryness that can cause itching
• Tetanus prevention 
  • Get a tetanus booster vaccine if you have not had a tetanus shot in the past five years and the burn is superficial partial-thickness (formerly called second-degree) or deeper 

More serious burns need to be treated by a doctor, and severe burns may require hospitalization or treatment at a burn center. 

Medical treatments for severe burns may include: 

• Intravenous (IV) fluids
• Pain medications
• Topical burn creams and ointments 
• Antibiotics for infection
• Ultrasound mist therapy to clean wound tissue
• Anti-anxiety medications 
• Wound dressings 
• Physical therapy if burns cover a large area or a joint
• Skin grafts
• Plastic surgery