How to Treat a Foot Burn

Whether you were walking around barefoot and stepped on something hot or spilled something in the kitchen, burns on the foot can be painful and inconvenient. Luckily, you can treat them effectively by following some simple steps. Apply the same first aid that you would to any burn by holding the area under cool, running water. After that, contact your doctor, because every burn on your foot is potentially serious. Keep the area clean and wrapped. To get around while you heal, wear loose-fitting shoes, walk with a cane if you have to, and control the pain with pain medications.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Applying First Aid Immediately

  1. Image titled Treat a Foot Burn Step 1
    1
    Hold your foot under cool running water for 10-15 minutes. Cool the area off immediately after you receive the burn. Use running water to flush away any particles and bacteria in the wound. For a burn on your foot, going into the shower or bathtub and holding your foot under the faucet is easiest. If you’re outdoors, a garden hose could work as well.[1]
    • Make sure any water you use is clean. Any contamination could cause a serious infection.
    • Do not use ice or ice water. Very cold water can cause further skin damage. Use cool to comfortably cold water.
    • Do not wash out the burn with soap or scrub it in any way. Only run it under cool water.
    • Do not blow on the wound to cool it off. This spreads germs into the burn.[2]
  2. Image titled Treat a Foot Burn Step 2
    2
    Use a cold compress or water in a bowl if running water isn’t available. While running water is best, use other methods of cooling the area off if you have to. Dip your foot into a bowl of cool water if you have it. If the skin over the burn is still intact, you can also use a cold compress wrapped in a towel.
    • If the burn is severe enough that skin is burned away, don’t apply a could compress. The towel could get stuck to the wound and cause further damage.
    • Remember to make sure any water you use is clean.
    Advertisement
  3. Image titled Treat a Foot Burn Step 3
    3
    Remove any clothing around the burn area while holding it under water. If you have a sock or shoes on, do your best to remove them. Work them off gently to avoid causing more pain. If the clothing is directly over the burn, leave it in place.[3]
    • Do not pull off any clothing or objects that are stuck to the skin. This will cause more damage. Continue running the wound under water and see if the object dislodges by itself. Otherwise, leave it and let the doctor remove it.
  4. Image titled Treat a Foot Burn Step 4
    4
    Determine the degree of the burn. The severity of the burn determines how to proceed. After cooling the area and removing any clothing, get a good look at the burn. Assess its degree to determine how severe the burn is.[4]
    • First-degree burns are minor. They only affect the outer layer of skin and cause redness, swelling, and minor pain.
    • Second-degree burns affect deeper skin layers. They cause deep redness, more intense pain, and blistering.
    • Third-degree burns completely burn away the outer layer of skin. The skin may be black or white. You may also feel numbness due to nerve damage.
    • Never try to treat a second or third degree burn by yourself. These are serious injuries that require medical attention immediately.
  5. Image titled Treat a Foot Burn Step 5
    5
    Call your doctor if the burn is severe or covers a large area of your foot. Minor first-degree burns that cover a small area can be treated at home without a doctor's intervention. Burns over large areas, like the entire bottom of your foot, require a doctor's attention. Additionally, second and third-degree burns on your foot always need medical attention, no matter how small. Call your doctor as soon as possible and explain the burn you received. Then follow their directions on how to proceed next.[5]
    • Your doctor may want to inspect the burn firsthand. Make an appointment as soon as possible.
    • If the burn is severe enough, your doctor may tell you to go to the hospital. Listen to these directions and receive medical attention as soon as possible.
    • Contacting your doctor is especially important if you have diabetes or another condition that inhibits your circulation.[6]
    6. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Treating Minor Burns

  1. Image titled Treat a Foot Burn Step 6
    1
    Apply moisturizing lotion or medical honey directly to the affected area. Aloe vera, medical honey, or a similar lotion can help keep the skin moist and promote healing. Apply a very thin layer of moisturizer to the burn before wrapping it with gauze.[7]
    • Use only gentle, fragrance-free moisturizers to avoid irritating your skin.
    • If the skin is broken, check with your doctor before applying any lotion. The doctor may not recommend using lotion on more serious burns.
    • Talk with your doctor about using medical grade honey on irritated or infected burnt skin. Some studies indicate that medical grade honey can help to heal infections.[8]
  2. Image titled Treat a Foot Burn Step 7
    2
    Cover the burn with a bandage to prevent it from rubbing on your clothes. Even minor burns on your foot can be very painful because your socks and shoes rub against the injury. Use a sterile, non-stick bandage to cover the burn and prevent rubbing. Use a strip of medical tape to secure the bandage.[9]
    • Do not apply the tape directly to the burn. This will be very painful to remove.
  3. Image titled Treat a Foot Burn Step 8
    3
    Take over-the-counter pain relievers to help with the pain. Medication can also make it easier to get around while you recover. Both NSAIDs and acetaminophen help reduce your pain, so take either drug type. Take a dose every 4-6 hours for a consistent effect.[10]
    • Take all medication as instructed. Don’t double-up on doses or take them for longer than the instructions say.
    • Make sure you don’t have any drug allergies before taking pain relievers. Allergies to NSAIDs are common.
  4. Image titled Treat a Foot Burn Step 9
    4
    Avoid popping or breaking blisters. Blisters may form on more serious burns. Leave them alone. Blisters form to help your skin heal, and breaking them can cause an infection. Don’t scratch or pick at the burn, and wear loose-fitting shoes so the blisters don’t burst.[11]
    • If the burn itches, take an antihistamine medication to prevent yourself from scratching.
    • If the blisters grow very large and uncomfortable, talk to your doctor about it. They may want to drain the blisters. But never do this yourself.
  5. Image titled Treat a Foot Burn Step 10
    5
    Wear loose-fitting shoes or sandals. Tight shoes will rub against the burn and cause pain. Try wearing your loosest pair or getting a pair a size bigger to make walking easier. Alternatively, wear open sandals that don’t rub against the spot your burn is in.[12]
    • Consult your doctor about getting a pair of orthopedic shoes while you recover. These are designed for comfort and support, and may make your recovery process much easier.
    • If your skin is broken and you do wear sandals, be sure to wrap your burn well. Dirt and bacteria could enter the wound when you go outside.
    6. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Caring for Severe Burns

  1. Image titled Treat a Foot Burn Step 11
    1
    Cover the burn with sterile, non-stick gauze. Keep the burn covered to prevent bacteria and dirt from causing an infection. Covering the wound also prevents your socks or shoes from rubbing on the burn, which helps with the pain. Get sterile, non-stick gauze from a pharmacy and wrap your foot loosely. If you have to, use some surgical tape to secure the gauze.[13]
    • Do not wrap the surgical tape around your foot. This cuts off the circulation and slows healing. Only put a strip along your skin so the gauze stays in place.
    • Don’t use cotton or a similar product with fibers. These fibers will get stuck on your skin.
    • Change your bandage at least once a day. Also change the bandage any time it gets wet.
  2. Image titled Treat a Foot Burn Step 12
    2
    Wrap your toes individually if they’re burned. Otherwise the skin on your toes could get stuck together during the healing process. Carefully tuck the gauze between each toe and wrap them individually for the best healing results.[14]
    • If your toes do stick together, hold them under warm running water to gently work them apart.
  3. Image titled Treat a Foot Burn Step 13
    3
    Keep your foot elevated for 24-48 hours to reduce swelling. More serious burns may cause significant swelling within the first 48 hours after the injury. If you’re experiencing swelling, elevate your foot to draw blood away from the area. For the best results, raise your foot above your heart level.[15]
    • For a good elevation position, lay back on a couch. Then place your burned foot on the armrest.
    • Place 1 or 2 pillows under your foot in bed to keep it elevated.
  4. Image titled Treat a Foot Burn Step 14
    4
    Clean the burn with gentle soap and cover it with a new bandage daily. Gently unwrap your burn and discard the old gauze. Then hold the burn under cool running water and wash it carefully with gentle soap. Pat it dry with a clean towel or gauze, then re-wrap it with fresh gauze.[16]
    • Ask your doctor about using soap. For more serious burns, doctors don’t recommend using soap.
    • If any gauze gets stuck to your burn, don’t pull them off. Soak your foot in water to loosen the gauze, then gently remove them.
  5. Image titled Treat a Foot Burn Step 15
    5
    Move as normally as you can so the skin heals properly. While it may be painful to walk normally with a burn on your foot, try your best to do so. If you keep your foot completely immobile, the new skin may grow in too tightly. This makes moving your foot uncomfortable after the wound heals. Walk as normally as you can to promote normal healing.[17]
  6. Image titled Treat a Foot Burn Step 16
    6
    Use a cane if walking on the burn hurts. This is especially important if the burn is on the bottom of your foot. Putting any weight on the burn may be painful. Walking with a cane can increase your mobility and decrease your pain levels.[18]
    • Doctors sometimes rent canes to patients while they recover. Speak with your doctor to see if they provide this service or can point you towards someone who does.
    • Some insurance plans cover canes and crutches if you need them.
    • Check with older relatives or neighbors to see if they have an extra cane lying around.
    7. Advertisement

Things You'll Need

  • Water
  • Cold compress
  • Sterile non-stick gauze
  • Gentle soap
  • Fragrance-free moisturizer
  • Medical tape
  • OTC pain medication

You Might Also Like

How to Do a Pedicure at Home
Give a Foot Massage
How to
Give a Foot Massage
Clean Your Feet
How to
Clean Your Feet
Use a Foot Scraper
How to
Use a Foot Scraper
Seduce a Woman With a Foot Massage
How to
Seduce a Woman With a Foot Massage
Get Baby Soft Feet
How to
Get Baby Soft Feet
Remove Dead Skin from Feet
How to
Remove Dead Skin from Feet
Give Yourself a Foot Massage
How to
Give Yourself a Foot Massage
Prevent Smelly Feet
How to
Prevent Smelly Feet
Use an Exfoliating Foot Peel
How to
Use an Exfoliating Foot Peel
Control Foot Odor with Baking Soda
How to
Control Foot Odor with Baking Soda
Care for Your Feet and Toenails
How to
Care for Your Feet and Toenails
Get Rid of Dry Skin on Feet
How to
Get Rid of Dry Skin on Feet
Make Your Feet Beautiful
How to
Make Your Feet Beautiful
Advertisement

References

  1. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/injured-skin/burns/treat-minor-burns
  2. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000030.htm
  3. ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/burns-and-scalds/
  4. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12063-burns
  5. ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/burns-and-scalds/
  6. ↑ http://www.ucihealth.org/blog/2018/05/treating-burns
  7. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-burns/basics/art-20056649
  8. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2686636/
  9. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000662.htm
  1. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000662.htm
  2. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-burns/basics/art-20056649
  3. ↑ https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/footi#aa13849
  4. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000662.htm
  5. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000030.htm
  6. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-burns/basics/art-20056649
  7. ↑ https://www.uptodate.com/contents/skin-burns-beyond-the-basics
  8. ↑ https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=90&ContentID=P01754
  9. ↑ https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/footi#aa13849

About This Article

Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS
Medically reviewed by:
Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS
Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
This article was medically reviewed by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS. Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006. This article has been viewed 19,319 times.
2 votes - 100%
Co-authors: 4
Updated: February 11, 2022
Views: 19,319
Categories: Foot Care

Medical Disclaimer

The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.

Advertisement