Cooling and protecting a second-degree burn
Machine translation from Dutch, not yet checked by a clinician.
Second-degree burns blister and are very painful. They need professional medical assessment.
What to do
• Cool immediately under lukewarm running water for 20 minutes
• Do not remove clothing that is stuck to the burn
• Cover the burn with a clean damp cloth or dressing — not too tight
• Do not cover blisters with adhesive dressings that could tear them
• Seek medical help for burns larger than 5 cm
Do not do
• Do not burst blisters — this hugely increases the risk of infection
• Do not use ice or iced water
• Do not use home remedies such as toothpaste, butter or aloe vera on second-degree burns
Warning signs
• A burn larger than one palm in an adult
• A burn on the face, hands, feet or genitals — always get medical help
Get help if
• The burn is more than 5 cm across
• The burn is on a child or an older person
• Blisters tear or become infected
Why this matters
Second-degree burns risk infection and scarring. Professional wound care considerably improves the outcome.
Source: Rode Kruis EHBO · reviewed 2025-01-01