Foot Burns

Getting a burn on your foot can be both painful and irritating. Whether you were cooking barefoot or dropped a hot coal off the grill, many mild burns can be treated easily by taking the following steps:

Rinse the Burn

Place the burned area under cool water. Rinsing for 15 – 30 minutes should cause the pain to subside and should lower your skin’s temperature, preventing the burn from becoming worse. You can submerge your foot in a tub of water or apply a cold compress direct to the affected area. Avoid using ice and ice cold water, as they can cause tissue damage.

Clean the Burn

Remember to wash your hands before handling the area. If your skin blisters and breaks, be extra careful. Open blisters can easily become infected, so do not intentionally break the blister. Clean the burn with a mild soap and water, pat dry with a clean cloth, and smear on an antibiotic ointment.

Bandage the Burn

If your skin has not broken, you only need to bandage if you anticipate the area getting dirty or getting irritated by socks or shoes. If the skin has broken, a bandage should be used. Wrap the bandage loosely and change it if it gets wet or dirty.

Remember to elevate your leg often during the first couple days. This will decrease swelling. If your burn is painful, swollen, and seems to be getting worse, see a physician for further treatment options.

Image by Ms. Glaze. Fire. (2007). Flickr.