Burns: Check Your Symptoms

Content provided by Healthwise

When to See a Doctor

Do you have a second- or third- degree burn?

See significance of a second- or third-degree burn if you need information to help you answer the questions below.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Do you have a third-degree burn on less than 2% of your body?

Yes

Do you have a second-degree burn on your face, eyelids, or ears?

Yes

Are you older than age 50 and you have a second-degree burn covering from 1% to 10% of your body?

Yes

Are you younger than age 50 and you have a second-degree burn covering 2% to 15% of your body?

Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Do you have a second-degree burn on your hands, feet, groin area, or over a joint?

Yes

Are you older than age 50 and you have a second-degree burn covering less than 1% of your body?

Yes

Are you younger than age 50 and you have a second-degree burn covering less than 2% of your body?

You need an appointment within the next 1 to 2 weeks if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Yes

Is the healing scar from a burn pulling the skin tight or preventing normal movement of the area?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Last updated:	February 02, 2007
Author:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Editors:	Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC, Tracy Landauer