How to treat burns

Families are getting ready to squeeze in their last camping trip before school starts and safety while cooking or enjoying a campfire is important. Nurse practitioner Linda Bowers at McLaren Greater Lansing DeWitt Family Medicine tells us it's important to know the types of burns you can get. 1st Degree is like a sunburn with redness and swelling, but no blisters. A 2nd Degree burn may cause the skin to turn white and splotchy with painful blisters. 3rd Degree is the most serious and can damage everything down to the bone. The skin will be charred black or white. 1st and minor 2nd degree burns can be treated with cool running water, a non stick sterile gauze or bandage, and gentle soap and water. Don't use butter, ice or ointments unless the doctor tells you to. Serious 2nd degree burns and all 3rd degree require immediate medical attention.