First Aid for Burns:
How to Treat and Prevent Scarring

By: Tracey Aldis

29 April 2025

Essentials

How to Treat and Prevent Scarring

FAQS

Should I change the dressing daily?

No, frequent changes disrupt healing, let infective agents in and increase costs. Only change them when they are half covered in ooze or otherwise wet, dirty or loose.7

Should I let the burn dry out?

No, they heal best with the right moisture balance.3

Should I use cream on the wound?

Only if recommended by your doctor or wound nurse.13

Tracey Aldis author image

Tracey Aldis

Clinical Nurse Consultant

Tracey is a Clinical Nurse Consultant with over 30 years of experience. She has completed a Bachelor of Nursing (RN) and holds advanced qualifications in palliative care, chronic disease management, stomal therapy, continence, and wound management. Tracey is passionate about empowering individuals on their health journeys through holistic support and education and is also certified as a trainer and assessor.

References

1. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (15 August, 2023). Burns and scalds. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/injury/burns-scalds/summaryCh

2. Australian Red Cross. (2025). First Aid app. https://www.redcross.org.au/firstaid/firstaidapp/

3. Carville, K. (2023). Wound care manual (8th). Silverchain Foundation.

4. Choi, C.et al. (2022). Management of hypertrophic scars in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 63, 172-189.

5. Durante, C.M. & Kant, S. (2020). Silicone therapy for the treatment and prevention of problematic scars: a practical guideline. Wounds International, 11(4), 64-69.

6. Logan, I. (2016). Silicone dressings. https://dermnetnz.org/topics/silicone-dressings

7. McFee, K., Spitzer, M., & Murdoch, J. (2024). Examining the clinical outcomes of soft silicone multilayer foam dressing for exudate management in US hospitals: It is time to optimize dressing change frequency. Wounds, 36(9), 290-296.

8. Merton Borough Care Home Pharmacists. (2022). Barrier products for use in adults in primary care for the prevention of moisture associated skin damage. South West London Clinical Commissioning Group, NHS. https://swlimo.southwestlondon.icb.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/SWL-Barrier-Products-Factsheet-Final-31.03.2022-2.pdf

9. Puri, V. et al. (2025). The assessment and treatment of burn wounds in the Asia-Pacific )APAC) region: consensus meeting report. Wounds International. https://woundsinternational.com/consensus-documents/the-assessment-and-treatment-ofburn-wounds-in-the-asia-pacificapac-region-consensus-meeting-report/

10. John Ambulance Australia. (2022a). First aid fact sheet DRSABCD action plan. https://stjohn.org.au/assets/uploads/fact%20sheets/english/Fact%20sheets_DRSABCD.pdf

11. John Ambulance Australia. (2022b). First aid fact sheet: Burn or scald. https://stjohn.org.au/assets/uploads/fact%20sheets/english/Fact%20sheets_burn%20or%20scald.pdf

12. Swift, T., Westgate, G., Van Onselen, J., & Lee, S. (2021). Developments in silicone technology for use in stoma care. British Journal of Nursing, 30(6), S1.

13. Wounds International. (2014). Best practice guidelines: Effective skin and wound management of non-complex burns. Wounds International. https://woundsinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/01b2238668a7092e56899e2da730545d.pdf

14. Venkateswaran., Rao, R., Kumar, K., & Sankamithra. (2024). Evaluation of a technology lipido-colloid non-adherent dressing with silver in the management of burn patients – a case series from India. Wounds International, 15(1), 42-48.