When to Seek Medical Care

Seek emergency medical care if you have any partial or full thickness burn that involves the genitals, eyes, ears, hands, or feet, or burns over major joints regardless of size. Also seek immediate medical care for the following burns:

• Any full thickness burn, for example, that looks dry, is painless, or looks charred
  
  
• Any partial thickness burn that is more than twice the size of your palm
  
  
• If pain is uncontrollable
  
  
• Call 911 for emergency medical transport in these cases:
  
  
  • If there are extensive partial thickness or full thickness burns to the body
    
    
  • For any problems breathing with burns to the face
    
    
  • With a large amount of smoke exposure in a closed room
    
    
  • If a person is unconscious after he or she has sustained a burn



• If you need to update your tetanus shot, your doctor can check your medical records or if you have any questions about burn care, call your doctor.