A board-certified dermatologist from the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) is sharing tips on how to treat minor burns and cuts and apply proper wound care

If you get a minor, first-degree burn, it’s important to treat it right away,” said board-certified dermatologist Lindsay Strowd, MD, FAAD, associate professor and interim chair of dermatology at Wake Forest School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. “Not only can a first-degree burn be very painful, but it can leave a scar if not properly treated.”

First-degree burns are very common and can frequently occur after accidentally touching a hot stove or oven, electrical burns from holiday decorations, or hot water from washing dishes after your meal. Unlike second- or third-degree burns, which are more severe, first-degree burns only involve the top layer of the skin. If you have a first-degree burn, your skin may be red and painful, and you may experience mild swelling.

To treat a first-degree burn, Dr. Strowd an ...