Conditions
Minor burns: burn degrees, first aid and when to go to the ER
Minor burns (first-degree, or with small blisters) can be cared for at home: run cool, not ice-cold, water over the burn for 5 to 30 minutes, cover it with a clean bandage and don’t break the blisters. Skip ice and butter. Go to the ER if the burn is palm-sized or larger, is blistering on the face, hands, feet or genitals, or was caused by chemicals or electricity.
Is it an emergency? Call 911.
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See the cancellation policy
You can cancel for a full refund or change the time up to 24 hours before your visit. Within 24 hours you can't cancel and there's no refund. If you don't join in the first 10 minutes, there's no refund.
If you choose a time less than 24 hours away, it can't be cancelled or changed.
If the clinic can't see you, for example because of a technical problem on our side, we refund you in full.
Is this an emergency?
This is not an emergency service. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you have:
- The burn is the size of your palm or larger
- It blisters (second degree) on the face, hands, feet, groin or genitals, buttocks or over a major joint
- It was caused by chemicals or electricity
- The skin looks white, dark or charred (a deep burn)
- The person breathed in smoke or shows signs of shock
- Abuse is known or suspected
Help lines
At a glance
Minor burns
Common symptoms
- Red skin
- Pain
- Swelling
- Blisters, in second-degree burns
- Other names
- Burns · First-degree burn · Second-degree burn · Superficial burn
- Treatment
- Cool water, a clean bandage and over-the-counter pain relievers; prescription treatment only when the medical evaluation calls for it
- Possible complication
- Burn infection
On this page(11)
Burn degrees: first, second and third degree
MedlinePlus classifies burns by depth. One burn can have areas of more than one degree.
A minor burn is a first-degree burn, or a small second-degree burn that isn’t on a sensitive area. Major burns include every third-degree burn and any second-degree burn wider than 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7.5 cm) or on the hands, feet, face, groin, buttocks or a major joint. Sunburn has its own page: sunburn.
- First degree (superficial): only the outer layer of skin. Pain, redness and swelling.
- Second degree (partial thickness): the layer underneath too. Pain, redness, swelling and blisters.
- Third degree (full thickness): reaches the deep layers. The skin looks white, dark or charred and may feel numb. Always an emergency.
Burns at home: the kitchen and fireworks
According to MedlinePlus, most burns come from fire, steam or hot liquids, and contact with hot objects. In Puerto Rico many happen in the kitchen, with frying oil, boiling water or coffee, the stove or an iron, and around the end-of-year holidays with fireworks. Children under 5, older adults and anyone with a weakened immune system should be seen right away for any burn.
How we treat minor burns by video
You see Dr. Diana Nieves Castro, a Puerto Rico–licensed general practice physician with several years of emergency-department experience, in English or Spanish. On camera, the doctor looks at the size, location and appearance of the burn, tells you whether it can be cared for at home or needs an in-person visit, and checks for signs of infection over the following days.
We evaluate, diagnose and treat. If appropriate, the doctor prescribes and we send your prescription to your pharmacy. This is virtual urgent care for problems that are not emergencies. You need to be physically in Puerto Rico during the visit; visitors are welcome.
Your doctor
Dr. Diana Nieves Castro, MD
General practice physician
Several years of emergency-department experience.
Founding Executive Director of The Health Initiative.
Your visit in 3 steps
Doctor online 24/7 for minor burns: video doctor visits 24/7 — book online and choose your time right away. Every day, any time (Puerto Rico time).
Request your visit and pay by card. Choose Doctor visit.
We send you a secure video link. It works on your phone, tablet or computer. Have good light so you can show the burn.
The doctor evaluates you. If appropriate, she prescribes and we send your prescription to your pharmacy, or she tells you where to go in person.
What the visit costs
A doctor visit has the same price for every age, with no membership. Your card is charged when you request the visit, and you get a full refund if the clinic can’t see you. A doctor’s note after your visit is included at no extra charge. The service is run by The Health Initiative, a nonprofit. Book your visit.
Minor burn symptoms
According to MedlinePlus, a superficial or partial-thickness burn causes:
- Red skin
- Pain
- Swelling
- Blisters, in second-degree burns
What to put on a minor burn
According to MedlinePlus, if the skin is unbroken:
- Run cool water over the burn or soak it in a cool water bath, not ice water, for 5 to 30 minutes.
- Once the skin has cooled, a moisturizing lotion with aloe and an antibiotic can help.
- Cover it loosely with a sterile bandage.
- For pain and swelling you can use over-the-counter ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Don’t give aspirin to anyone under 19.
- Make sure your tetanus shot is up to date. According to the CDC, after a burn you get a booster if your last dose was 5 or more years ago; it is given in person.
What not to do
MedlinePlus warns:
- Don’t put oil, butter, ice, creams, sprays or home remedies on a severe burn.
- Don’t break blisters or remove dead skin.
- Don’t pull off clothing that is stuck to the skin.
Signs of infection, and when to get care
Most minor burns heal without further treatment. MedlinePlus advises calling a doctor if you still have pain after 48 hours, and getting care right away if there is drainage or pus, you have a fever, the pain gets worse, red streaks spread from the burn or your lymph nodes swell.
That can be checked by video. If the doctor sees infection spreading through the skin, read about cellulitis too.
When a burn is an emergency
Children under 5, older adults and anyone with a weakened immune system should be seen right away for any burn.
According to MedlinePlus, call 911 or go to an emergency room if:
- The burn is the size of your palm or larger
- It blisters (second degree) on the face, hands, feet, groin or genitals, buttocks or over a major joint
- It was caused by chemicals or electricity, even if it looks small on the outside
- The skin looks white, dark or charred, or feels numb (a deep burn)
- The person breathed in smoke or shows signs of shock
- Abuse is known or suspected
- You are not sure how serious it is
Why a video visit
| Comparison | By video | Emergency room |
|---|---|---|
| Getting there | From home: join from your phone, tablet or computer. | Drive and find parking. |
| Hours and time | Every day, any time (Puerto Rico time). Video doctor visits 24/7 — book online and choose your time right away. | In Puerto Rico, a median of 4 h 52 min from arrival to departure for patients sent home (US: 2 h 42 min; Oct 2024–Sep 2025).1,2 |
| Price | $79 visit · $49 follow-up · $35 forms. You see it before you pay; no insurance needed. | Depends on your insurance and on what is done. |
For problems that are not emergencies. In an emergency, call 911.
Table sources
- 1. CMS Care Compare, “Timely and Effective Care – State”, measure OP-18b: median time in the emergency department, arrival to departure, for patients sent home (opens in a new tab), data for Oct 2024–Sep 2025 (accessed 2026-10-02)
- 2. CMS Care Compare, “Timely and Effective Care – National”, measure OP-18b (US figure) (opens in a new tab), data for Oct 2024–Sep 2025 (accessed 2026-10-02)
How we care for you
We evaluate, diagnose and treat; if needed, we give you a lab order for a lab near you.
We see adults and children of all ages. Patients under 21: a parent with patria potestad (parental authority) or a legal guardian is on camera for the whole visit and shows photo ID.
Real-time video visit. We send you a secure video link. It works on your phone, tablet or computer.
If appropriate, the doctor prescribes and we send your prescription to your pharmacy.
You must be physically in Puerto Rico during the visit (visitors, tourists and cruise passengers are welcome).
In an emergency, call 911.
Frequently asked questions
What should I put on a minor burn?
What are the degrees of burns?
How do I know if my burn is second-degree?
Should I pop a burn blister?
When is a burn an emergency?
Can a doctor look at a burn by video?
Related topics
About this page
Author: The Health Initiative
Medical care provided by Dr. Diana Nieves Castro, MD (PR license 24027)
Disclosure: Founding Executive Director of The Health Initiative
Published: 2026-10-02 · Updated: 2026-10-11
Sources (3)
- Burns (MedlinePlus, NIH) (opens in a new tab) (accessed 2026-10-02)
- Burns: health topic (MedlinePlus, NIH) (opens in a new tab) (accessed 2026-10-02)
- Tetanus: clinical guidance, wound management (CDC) (opens in a new tab) (accessed 2026-10-02)