Burn Treatments at Blooms The Chemist
A burn damages the skin, and sometimes the tissue underneath, and can be caused by heat, sun, chemicals, electricity or friction. A scald is a burn caused by hot water or steam.
All burns need immediate first aid: hold the area under cool running water for at least 20 minutes. Topical products come after that, and superficial burns need pain relief, dressings and regular review to make sure they have not become infected. [Source: Better Health Channel]
Burn gels, no-touch gel sprays, single-use gel dressings and wound care gels sit here alongside antiseptic creams and first aid creams. Because a cooled burn usually needs covering, non-stick wound dressings are also available.
How to choose a burn treatment
- Gel, spray or dressing: Tubes of gel suit a small area, sprays cover a wider area without contact, and single-use gel dressings are laid over the site.
- Covering the burn: Once cooled, a burn is usually covered with a light, loose, non-stick dressing.
- Children: After cooling, a minor burn can be protected with a loose, non-stick dressing if needed.
- Larger or deeper burns: More significant burns should be assessed by a health professional before creams or other products are applied.
- Sunburn: If a burn has no blisters or broken skin, such as sunburn, aloe vera gel can be used to soothe the skin.
Aloe vera gels sit with the after sun care products, and a burn gel or gel dressing is worth keeping in a first aid kit at home or in the car.
Using burn treatments safely
Cool the burn under running water for at least 20 minutes before anything else, and cooling can keep helping for up to 3 hours. Do not apply ice or any cream to a burn that has not been cooled, do not pop blisters, and do not remove anything stuck to it. Nothing other than water should go on a deeper burn until it is fully cooled and medically assessed. [Source: Healthdirect Australia]
Follow the product label, and see your GP if the burn is larger than a 20 cent coin (about 3 centimetres), has blistered or is worrying you. Discharge, a change in wound colour or a foul odour may indicate infection: seek medical advice promptly.
A burn that is deep, involves the face, hands or genitals, has left brown, black or white skin patches, was caused by chemicals or electricity, or is affecting breathing is an emergency: call triple zero (000).
Frequently Asked Questions
What cream is good for burns?
For a minor burn the first step is cool with running water for at least 20 minutes, not a cream. Once the burn is cooled, products designed for minor burns, such as burn gels, burn gel sprays, gel dressings, antiseptic creams and first aid creams, may be used as directed on the label. A Blooms The Chemist Pharmacist can help you choose one.
Can you buy burn cream over the counter in Australia?
Yes. Burn gels, burn gel sprays, gel dressings, antiseptic creams and first aid creams for minor burns are available without a prescription, in store or online at Blooms The Chemist. Deeper, larger or blistered burns need medical assessment.
How do you treat a hot water burn?
A burn from hot water or steam is a scald. Remove the source of the burn, hold the area under cool running water for at least 20 minutes, then cover it with a light, loose, non-stick dressing. See your GP if the burn is larger than a 20 cent coin or has developed blisters. [Source: Healthdirect Australia]
Where can I buy burn gel near me?
Burn gels, burn gel sprays and gel dressings are available at your local Blooms The Chemist or online with delivery Australia-wide. Use the store locator on the Blooms The Chemist website to find your nearest store.