Second-Degree Burn Treatment

A burn that blisters is usually a second-degree burn. This type of burn is treated as a minor burn if the area is not larger than two to three inches in diameter and not located on the face, hands, feet, genitals, groin, buttocks, or over a major joint.

Minor burns are treated by taking the following actions: Cool the burn; cover the burn with sterile gauze bandage; take over-the-counter pain reliever; and watch for signs of infection (i.e. increased pain, redness, fever, swelling, or oozing). If infection develops, seek help.

However, the treatment also depends on the size of the burn and its location. If the burned area is larger than two to three inches in diameter or is on the hands, feet, face, genitals, groin or buttocks, or over a major joint (knee or shoulder), it is treated as a major burn. For all major burns, seek medical help immediately; remove the cause of the burn but do not remove burned clothing that has adhered to the skin; cover the area of the burn with cool, moist, sterile bandage or clean, moist cloth/towels until you receive emergency medical treatment.

Based on the location of your burn (hand), you should see a doctor if you have not done so yet.