When treating a third-degree burn, you should call emergency services immediately, protect the person and the burned area, and avoid all home “treatments” like ice, ointments, or popping blisters. Third-degree burns are medical emergencies that must always be treated in a hospital, not at home.

What you should do

  • Ensure the scene is safe and remove the person from the source of the burn if it is safe to do so (heat, flame, electricity, chemicals).
  • Call emergency medical services right away; third-degree burns always require urgent professional treatment and should not be managed at home.
  • Gently remove jewelry and clothing near (but not stuck to) the burned area to prevent constriction as the area swells.
  • Cover the burn with a clean, dry, non-fluffy cloth or sterile dressing to protect it and help prevent infection, without applying pressure.

What you should NOT do

  • Do not use ice or very cold water on a third-degree burn, as this can worsen tissue damage and contribute to hypothermia.
  • Do not apply butter, oils, creams, or ointments; these can trap heat and increase the risk of infection.
  • Do not break blisters or attempt to peel away clothing stuck to the burn; cutting or tearing can worsen the injury and bleeding risk.
  • Do not delay transport to a hospital while trying to clean or treat the burn yourself; rapid professional care is critical for survival and recovery.

Why third-degree burns are different

  • Third-degree burns destroy all layers of the skin and may extend into fat, muscle, or bone, often appearing white, black, brown, or charred, and may be less painful because nerves are destroyed.
  • These burns often require IV fluids, pain control, infection prevention, and sometimes surgery or skin grafts, which can only be provided in medical facilities.

If you ever wonder, “when treating a third degree burn you should…”, the safe rule is: protect and cover the burn, call for emergency help, and do not try to treat it yourself.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.