Patient Education: Burn Wounds

Understanding Your Burn Wound

A burn is an injury to your skin caused by heat, chemicals, electricity, or friction. Burns can range from mild to severe. The skin may be red, swollen, blistered, or even charred.

Causes of Burns

Burns can happen from:

Hot liquids or steam (scalds)
Fire, flames, or hot objects (thermal burns)
Chemicals (cleaning products, acids)
Electricity (electrical burns)
Sunlight (sunburns)

Prevention of Burns

Keep hot objects and liquids away from children.
Use oven mitts and handle hot liquids carefully.
Wear sunscreen and protective clothing in the sun.
Keep chemicals safely stored and use gloves when needed.
Avoid exposed wires or faulty electrical cords.

Treatment of Your Burn (Follow Your Doctor’s Orders)

Your doctor or home health nurse may:

Clean the burn gently with mild soap and water.
Apply prescribed ointments or creams.
Cover the burn with a sterile dressing.
Change the dressing as instructed.
Take pain medicine if needed.
Monitor for signs of infection or worsening.

Do not:

Apply butter, toothpaste, or home remedies unless told by your healthcare provider.

Understanding Your Wound Dressing

A wound dressing is a special bandage that protects your burn.
A compromised dressing means it is wet, dirty, loose, torn, or has fallen off.

If your dressing is compromised:

Wash your hands.
Call your home health nurse or doctor for instructions.
Replace it with a clean, sterile dressing if instructed.
Do not touch the wound with dirty hands.

Signs of Infection or Complications

Call your nurse or doctor if you notice:

Redness spreading around the burn
Increased pain or swelling
Pus, foul smell, or yellow/green drainage
Fever or chills
Blisters that are larger or broken
Skin turning dark or black

Signs of worsening burn include:

Skin turning white, gray, or black
Numbness or loss of feeling
Fluid-filled blisters getting larger
Burn covering a larger area

When to Contact Your Nurse or Doctor vs. Going to the ER

Call your home health nurse or doctor for:
- Dressing changes or questions
- Mild pain not controlled by medicine
- Slight redness or swelling
Go to the Emergency Room if:
- Burn is very large or deep
- Skin is charred or white
- You have trouble breathing or swallowing
- You see signs of severe infection (high fever, spreading redness)
- Burn involves face, hands, feet, genitals, or joints

Diet for Burn Wound Healing

Eating the right foods helps your burn heal faster:

Protein: Chicken, fish, eggs, beans, tofu
Vitamin C: Oranges, strawberries, bell peppers
Zinc: Nuts, seeds, whole grains
Fluids: Water to stay hydrated

Special note: If you have kidney problems, talk to your doctor or home health nurse before making diet changes.

Extra Tips for Healing

Keep your burn clean and dry.
Avoid scratching or picking at blisters.
Rest and avoid strenuous activity that can reopen the wound.
Follow all instructions from your doctor and nurse carefully.

Patient Homework / Assessment: True or False

True or False – Burns can be caused by hot liquids, fire, chemicals, electricity, or sun.
True or False – It is safe to put butter on a burn.
True or False – A wound dressing protects your burn from germs.
True or False – A compromised dressing is wet, dirty, or loose.
True or False – You should call your nurse if your dressing falls off.
True or False – Redness and pus are signs of infection.
True or False – Pain that gets worse can be a sign your burn is healing.
True or False – You should go to the ER if your burn covers a large area.
True or False – Drinking water helps your burn heal.
True or False – Protein in your diet can help your skin repair.
True or False – You should ignore fever after a burn.
True or False – Blisters that get larger may mean the burn is worsening.
True or False – All burns should be treated with home remedies first.
True or False – You should call your doctor if the burn is on your hand or face.
True or False – Zinc-rich foods, like nuts and seeds, support wound healing.
True or False – You should scratch your burn to help it heal faster.
True or False – A nurse can tell you how to safely change your dressing.
True or False – Deep burns or burns with white or black skin need immediate ER care.
True or False – You should follow your doctor’s instructions even if the burn looks better.
True or False – People with kidney problems should ask their nurse before changing their diet.

Answer Key and Explanations

True – Burns can come from heat, chemicals, electricity, and sun.
False – Butter can cause infection and delay healing.
True – Dressings protect from germs and injury.
True – Wet, dirty, or loose dressings are compromised.
True – Call your nurse for guidance.
True – Redness, swelling, and pus are infection signs.
False – Pain that worsens may indicate complications.
True – Large burns need emergency care.
True – Staying hydrated supports healing.
True – Protein is essential for skin repair.
False – Fever may indicate infection and needs medical attention.
True – Enlarging blisters can mean the burn is worsening.
False – Home remedies can harm; follow medical instructions.
True – Burns on sensitive areas need prompt care.
True – Zinc supports tissue repair and healing.
False – Scratching increases infection risk.
True – Nurses can safely instruct dressing changes.
True – Deep or discolored burns require immediate ER attention.
True – Follow medical instructions even if it seems better.
True – Kidney patients need guidance before dietary changes.