At Complete Care, we know how frightening and painful a burn injury can be — whether it happens during a family dinner, while working around the house, or from an unexpected accident. Burns can occur in the blink of an eye, and when they do, you need professional burn treatment right away.

Our emergency-trained doctors provide gentle, thorough burn assessment, effective pain relief, careful wound cleaning, specialized dressing application, and clear instructions for healing at home. Each of our freestanding emergency rooms is designed with your comfort in mind. We are fully equipped with everything needed for emergency burn care, and our staff is available around the clock to provide medical professionals who genuinely care about helping you feel better.

When a burn happens to you or someone you love, don’t hesitate to come see us. We’re here for you 24/7 at your nearest Complete Care ER location, where you’ll receive the compassionate, expert care you deserve without the long waits of a traditional hospital emergency room

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

• Types of burns
• When to go to the ER for a burn
• How to treat a burn: first-aid
• What is emergency treatment for a burn?

For life-threatening situations, please call 911.

What are the different types of burns?

Understanding the type of burn you have helps us provide the most effective treatment for your specific injury. Burns are classified not only by what caused them, but also by how deeply they penetrate your skin and the extent of tissue damage.

• First-degree burns affect only the outer layer of skin, causing redness, mild swelling, and pain (like most severe sunburns or common grill injuries).
• Second-degree burns damage both the outer and underlying skin layers, often causing blisters, severe pain, and swelling.
• Third-degree burns destroy all skin layers and may damage deeper tissues, appearing white, brown, or charred.
• Thermal burns result from contact with hot objects, flames, steam, or scalding liquids.
• Chemical burns occur when the skin comes into contact with acids, alkalis, or other corrosive substances.
• Electrical burns happen from contact with electrical currents and can cause internal damage.
• Radiation burns develop from overexposure to UV rays, X-rays, or other radiation sources.

Every type of burn requires different care approaches and treatment protocols. Our Complete Care emergency physicians are trained to quickly identify your specific burn type and provide the targeted treatment you need to promote healing and prevent complications.

When to go to the ER for a burn

Knowing when to go to the ER for a burn can make the difference between a smooth recovery and serious complications. While some minor burns can be treated at home, many burn injuries require immediate professional medical attention to prevent infection and ensure proper healing.

Here are emergency burn symptoms to watch for:

• Burns larger than your palm or covering more than 3 inches in diameter
• Any burn on the face, hands, feet, genitals, or major joints where scarring could affect function
• Second-degree burns with blistering, especially if widespread or extremely painful
• All third-degree burns, regardless of size, always require emergency care
• Chemical or electrical burns, which can cause internal damage not visible on the surface
• Burns with signs of infection, such as increased pain, swelling, fever, or pus
• Burns in children under 5 or adults over 65 are at higher risk of complications

When you’re questioning whether to go to the ER for a burn, always err on the side of caution and head into your nearest freestanding ER location. Complete Care is here to provide expert evaluation and burn treatment without the long waits of traditional hospital emergency rooms.

How to treat a burn while on your way to Complete Care

While you’re getting to our emergency room, there are simple first aid steps that can help reduce pain and prevent further damage to your burn. These immediate actions are meant to stabilize your injury while you seek professional medical care.

1. Remove the heat source and move away from flames, chemicals, or electrical sources safely
2. Cool the burn with cool (not ice-cold) running water for 10-15 minutes to stop the burning process
3. Remove jewelry and tight clothing near the burn area before swelling begins
4. Cover the burn loosely with a clean, dry cloth or sterile gauze if available
5. Do NOT apply ice, butter, oils, or home remedies that can worsen the injury
6. Do NOT break blisters or remove clothing that’s stuck to the burn

Remember, these are temporary burn relief measures while you make your way to us. Our Complete Care team will provide the comprehensive treatment your burn needs for proper healing and pain relief when you arrive at our facility.

What is emergency treatment for a burn?

When you arrive at Complete Care with a burn injury, our emergency team follows standard medical protocols to ensure you receive the most effective care possible. While basic first aid for burns can help initially, our emergency burn treatment goes far beyond what’s possible at home.

1. Immediate pain assessment and relief with appropriate medications to keep you comfortable
2. Thorough evaluation of the burn’s depth, size, and location to determine the best treatment approach
3. Professional wound cleaning to remove debris and reduce infection risk
4. Careful debridement when necessary to remove damaged tissue and promote healing
5. Specialized burn blister care, including proper drainage and protection to prevent infection
6. Application of advanced burn dressings designed to protect the wound and maintain proper moisture
7. Tetanus shot update if your vaccination isn’t current, as burns increase infection risk
8. Expert cooking oil burn treatment and care for other thermal injuries that require specific protocols
9. IV fluids for larger burns to prevent dehydration and support your body’s healing process
10. Comprehensive discharge instructions including wound care, pain management, and follow-up guidance

Our goal is not just to treat your burn, but to ensure you understand how to care for it at home and when to seek additional medical attention. Complete Care’s emergency treatment for burns combines advanced medical care with the personal attention you deserve during your recovery journey.

Get emergency burn treatment at your nearest Complete Care location

When you need emergency burn care, Complete Care is here to help you heal with compassion and expertise. We understand that burn injuries don’t wait for convenient times, which is why we’re open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide immediate treatment when you need it most.

With convenient locations throughout Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas/Fort Worth, East Texas, Lubbock, San Antonio, and Colorado Springs, Complete Care brings hospital-quality emergency services closer to your home and family. Whether you’re dealing with a kitchen accident, workplace injury, or any other burn emergency, our dedicated medical teams are ready to provide the specialized care that promotes faster healing and reduces your risk of complications.

Don’t let a burn injury disrupt your life any longer than necessary. Visit your nearest Complete Care emergency room today and experience the difference that expert, compassionate emergency care can make in your recovery.