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Patients

Your Connection to Care, Community, and Recovery

For burn survivors and their families, healing starts with the right connections. The ABA brings together verified burn centers, trusted first aid resources, survivor support networks, and research that drives better long-term outcomes.  


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First Aid for Burn Injuries

Learn how to treat burns safely and what steps to take next, whether for yourself or someone you’re helping.


View First Aid Guide

How Deep is the Burn?

Red, blistered, swollen, and painful? It could be a second-degree burn. Whitish, charred, or leathery with little or no feeling? That may be a third-degree burn. 


Seek medical care for second- or third-degree burns

Burn Location Matters

Burns on sensitive areas like the face, ears, eyes, hands, feet, or genitals need professional evaluation; these areas are prone to complications. 


Don’t wait to get these burns checked

Signs of Infection

Redness, swelling, foul odor, or oozing liquid can be signs of infection. 


Infected burns should be seen by a healthcare provider right away

Size Matters

If the burn is larger than the palm of your hand, or wraps all the way around an arm or leg, it’s serious. 


These burns require medical attention

Not Healing After a Few Days?

If pain, redness, or swelling worsens after 2–3 days, or skin turns darker, the burn may not heal properly. 


A medical professional should evaluate burns that don’t improve

If any of the above applies, don't wait. Seek medical attention.


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Understanding a Burn Injury

A guide for patients, families, and caregivers. 

A burn injury changes more than your skin—it can affect how you feel, move, and live. Knowing what to expect can make the journey more manageable.  

Phase I: Triage | Burn Evaluation & Early Care

When a burn occurs, timely care is critical. A medical team will assess the depth of the burn, how much of the body is affected, and whether specialized treatment is needed. This may happen in an emergency room or at a burn center. If the burn is painful, large, or affecting sensitive areas, such as the face, hands, or feet, don’t wait.

Know when to seek care

Phase II: Healing the Burn

Once stabilized, your care team will focus on helping the wound heal and keeping you as comfortable as possible. Treatment might include bandages, antibiotics, pain management, surgery, or skin grafts. You may also start working with specialists in physical therapy, nutrition, and emotional support. Healing takes time, and support is always part of the plan. 

Understand treatment and healing

Phase III: Recovery | Long-Term Rehabilitation and Aftercare

Even after the skin has healed, recovery continues. Physical therapy can help with movement and strength. Emotional support and scar care can make a big difference, too. You may continue outpatient visits, exercise at home, or connect with survivor networks. Recovery can feel slow, but every step forward matters. 

Find rehab resources and survivor support

About Burn Centers

Burn centers deliver the highest level of care for serious burns, with teams trained in specialized treatment, surgery, rehabilitation, and emotional support.

ABA-verified burn centers meet rigorous standards and provide coordinated care from the moment of injury through long-term recovery. Patients and families are supported by an interdisciplinary team at every step, ensuring expertise, consistency, and compassionate care when it matters most.


Learn More

Common Types of Burns

Thermal Burns: Scald, flame, and contact burns

Thermal burns are caused by contact with heat sources like fire, hot liquids, steam, or hot surfaces.

Explore Thermal Burns

Scald Burns: Hot water, steam, grease, and hot drinks

Scalds are a thermal burn caused by hot liquids or steam. They’re especially common in kitchens and bathrooms.

Explore Scald Burns

Flame Burns: Fires, flammable material ignition, explosions

These burns result from direct fire or high heat contact, often seen in house fires or accidents.

Explore Flame Burns

Contact Burns: Hot surfaces like stoves, irons, or tools

Burns that happen when the skin touches a very hot object.

Explore Contact Burns

Chemical Burns: Acids, alkalis, cleaning agents, solvents

Caused by direct contact with harsh or corrosive chemicals. Can affect the skin, eyes, or internal tissue.

Explore Chemical Burns

Electrical Burns: Electric shocks, arc flashes, lightning

Burns that result from electricity passing through the body. It may look minor outside, but it can cause deep internal damage.

Explore Electrical Burns

Frostbite Burns: Freezing exposure, extreme cold

Not technically a burn, but frostbite damages tissue like burns do. Common on fingers, toes, ears, and nose.

Explore Frostbite Burns

Radiation Burns: Sunburn, radiation therapy

Skin damage caused by exposure to ultraviolet light or other radiation. Often mild but can be serious with medical radiation.

Explore Radiation Burns

Common Conditions for Burn Survivors

Challenges faced after burns include physical, emotional, and social adjustments during recovery. 

Body Image

Adjusting to physical changes impacts self-esteem and emotional well-being. 

Delirium

Critical illness delirium may occur in severe burns and requires specialized care. 

Exercise

Physical activity supports healing, strength, and overall health during recovery. 

Healthy Eating

Proper nutrition fuels healing and supports immune function after burn injury. 

Itchy Skin

Itching during healing is frequent; effective treatments provide relief and comfort. 

Kidney Function

Faster kidney function (augmented clearance) may affect how your body handles medication.

Managing Pain

Effective pain control supports healing and improves burn survivors' quality of life. 

Pain Relief

Careful use of opioids balances pain relief with minimizing risks of dependence. 

Psychological Distress

Emotional struggles like anxiety and depression are common but manageable with proper support. 

PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can affect burn survivors, requiring targeted care and support. 

Resilience

Building mental strength helps survivors overcome challenges and thrive after injury. 

Return to School

Support and accommodations help children and teens transition back to school post-burn. 

Return to Work

Gradual, supported return to employment is key to long-term recovery and independence. 

Sexual Intimacy

Open communication and counseling support healthy intimacy after burn injuries. 

Sleep Problems

Sleep disturbances are common but can improve with targeted interventions. 

Social Interaction

Rebuilding relationships and social confidence can be a vital part of recovery. 

Sun Protection

Protecting healing skin from sun exposure reduces risk of damage and pigmentation changes. 

Temperature Sensitivity

Burn survivors may experience increased sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures. 

Understanding a Burn Injury

Additional challenges vary; individualized care addresses unique survivor needs. 

Wound Care

Consistent wound care prevents infection and promotes optimal healing outcomes. 

Burn Treatments Methods and Products

Effective approaches and tools that support healing and recovery from burn injuries. 

Burn Care Procedures

Step-by-step medical techniques used to treat burns and promote skin regeneration. 

Surgical Products and Operative Technology

Advanced devices and methods used during surgical treatment of burn injuries. 

Burn Care Supplies and Scar Management

Essential materials designed to protect and heal burn wounds safely. 

Burn Care Treatments

Comprehensive therapies aimed at pain relief, infection prevention, and faster recovery.