How to Treat a Cooking Burn

If you’re searching “how to treat a cooking burn,” then you’re probably looking for fast answers to help the pain stop. However, it’s important to know when a cooking oil burn can be treated at home and when you may need additional help. 

Cooking oil burns are more common than you think, especially during the holiday season when people tend to be cooking multiple unfamiliar dishes at once. Once a burn occurs, it’s important to understand how to assess the situation to prevent infection and further damage to your skin, and determine if simple at-home remedies will suffice or if you need to visit an ER. 

Here’s everything you need to know about how to treat a cooking burn yourself and when to get professional help.

What is the correct treatment for a burn?

Whether you’re looking to know how to treat a burn from a hot pan or other types of common grilling injuries, it’s important to know the three different types of burns before you begin thinking about treatment: 

• First degree burns: The outer layer of the skin looks red. Pain is not serious.
• Second degree burns: Stronger pain accompanied by redness, swelling, and blisters affecting deeper layers of the skin.
• Third degree burns: Skin will appear charred or white and the pain is severe. Third degree burns always require immediate medical attention by professionals.

What should I put on a burn?

One of the reasons it’s important to understand what degree of burn you have before you try to look into how to treat a cooking burn is that the former will greatly affect the latter. In other words, the severity of the burn is crucial to determining what and what not to put on a burn. 

First and second degree burns

First and second degree burns (including cooking oil burns) can be treated with aloe vera, burn creams, or antibiotic ointment. These treatments can provide temporary relief to keep the pain at bay. First and second degree burns are still painful, but typically do not require any outside medical help unless the area covered is more than 2-3 inches. 

For first degree burns, you can also use household items like honey that have anti-inflammatory and calming ingredients to help aid in the skin’s recovery. Do not put items like butter, milk, or oil on your burn. These all have ingredients that can only make the pain worse and can lead to infections. 

Third degree burns

Third degree burns result in damage to all of the layers of the skin and require immediate medical attention. Simply clean the wound with cold water and cover the wound with a clean covering until you can reach the nearest emergency room. 

How do I heal a burn quickly?

First, be sure to remove any clothing and jewelry that can come into contact with the burn. Place the burned area under running cold water to prevent swelling. After about 15-20 minutes, clean the burn with soap and water and wrap it in a clean gauze pad or bandage. Covering the burn and avoiding exposure is the best way to prevent infection for a cooking oil burn or any other burn injury. 

All burns, including cooking oil burns, take different time intervals to heal, so try not to worry about rushing the process. Just be sure you’re taking care of the burned area even after seeking medical attention. 

When to go to the ER for a burn

If you received a severe cooking oil burn, it’s crucial that you get the treatment you need, when you need it. Wondering, “Should I go to the doctor for a burn?” Here’s a good rule of thumb: If the burn covers a two to three-inch area and the affected area is a major body part, then you should seek medical help. 

At Complete Care, we have a talented and knowledgeable staff who can assist you with any burn-related injuries or emergencies and get you back on your fee as quickly as possible. Find a location nearest you for clean, fast, and safe 24-hour treatment for your burn injury.