Burns are common injuries, especially in the home and in the kitchen. In the UAE, hot beverages, cooking oil, and prolonged sun exposure are frequent causes. Knowing the correct first aid response can significantly reduce pain, prevent further damage, and improve healing outcomes.
Types of Burns
By Depth
- Superficial (first-degree): Affects only the outer layer of skin (epidermis). Red, painful, no blisters. Like mild sunburn. Heals within 7 days
- Partial thickness (second-degree): Affects the epidermis and part of the dermis. Red, painful, blistered, moist. Heals in 2-3 weeks (superficial partial) or may need specialist care (deep partial)
- Full thickness (third-degree): Destroys the full depth of the skin. White, waxy, or charred appearance. May be painless (nerve endings destroyed). Requires specialist burn treatment
By Cause
- Thermal: Fire, hot liquids (scalds), steam, hot objects
- Chemical: Acids, alkalis, household cleaning products
- Electrical: Electrical current (can cause deep internal damage)
- Radiation: Sunburn, radiation therapy
- Friction: Road rash, carpet burns
Immediate First Aid (NICE-Aligned and British Burns Association)
The 20-Minute Rule
Cool the burn immediately under cool running water for at least 20 minutes. This is the single most important first aid measure.
- Use cool (not ice-cold) running water
- Start as soon as possible after the burn occurs - effective for up to 3 hours after injury
- Do NOT use ice, iced water, or very cold water - this can cause frostbite and worsen tissue damage
- Do NOT apply butter, toothpaste, oil, egg whites, or any home remedies - these are harmful and increase infection risk
After Cooling
- 1Remove clothing and jewellery near the burn (if not stuck to the skin) - swelling may develop quickly
- 2Cover the burn with cling film (plastic wrap) laid loosely over the burn (do not wrap tightly around a limb). Alternatively, use a clean, non-fluffy material
- 3Keep the person warm - people with significant burns risk hypothermia, especially in air-conditioned environments
- 4Do not burst blisters - this increases infection risk
- 5Pain relief: Paracetamol or ibuprofen
When to Go to the Hospital
Seek medical attention for:
- Burns larger than the size of the person's palm (approximately 1% of body area)
- Burns on the face, neck, hands, feet, genitals, or major joints
- All full-thickness burns (white, waxy, or charred)
- Chemical and electrical burns (always require medical assessment)
- Circumferential burns (that go all the way around a limb)
- Burns in children under 5 (children have thinner skin and burns can be more severe)
- Burns in pregnant women
- Burns in people with significant medical conditions (diabetes, immunosuppression)
- If you are unsure about the severity
- Any burn that does not heal within 2 weeks
Call Emergency Services (998 in the UAE) If:
- The burn is large (bigger than the person's arm or more)
- The person has inhaled smoke or has airway burns (burns around the mouth, nose, singed facial hair, hoarse voice)
- The person is showing signs of shock (pale, clammy, confused, rapid breathing)
- The burn was caused by an electrical source
Preventing Burns at Home
In the Kitchen
- Keep hot liquids away from table edges (children's reach)
- Turn pot handles inward on the stove
- Use oven gloves
- Be cautious with hot oil (cover the pan, never add water to hot oil)
- Keep children out of the kitchen during cooking
Hot Water
- Set your water heater to 49°C (120°F) or below to prevent scalding
- Always test bath water before placing children in it
- Supervise children during bath time
Sun Protection
- Apply SPF 30+ sunscreen and reapply every 2 hours
- Seek shade during peak UV hours (10am-4pm)
- Be cautious with hot car surfaces, playground equipment, and sand in summer (these can cause contact burns in the UAE)
General
- Install smoke alarms and check them regularly
- Keep matches and lighters out of children's reach
- Have a fire extinguisher accessible
- Keep a first-aid kit at home
Burn Healing and Aftercare
- Keep the healed burn moisturised - use a fragrance-free emollient
- Protect from the sun - healed burns are more susceptible to UV damage for up to 2 years. Use SPF 50 and cover the area
- Massage the healed area gently (once fully healed) - helps with scar flexibility
- Watch for signs of infection: Increasing redness, swelling, pain, or discharge from the burn
This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional first aid training or medical advice. Always seek medical attention for burns you are unsure about.