Burned this Fourth? Here’s what experts say to do if you get hurt.

Burns are among the most common injuries treated around the Fourth of July, and even a seemingly harmless sparkler or a hot piece of debris from a firework can cause serious damage.

Sparklers burn at temperatures of up to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, hot enough to melt metal, and in some cases, can lead to life-threatening burns.

At the N.C. Jaycee Burn Center, fireworks-related injuries spike around the holiday. Since 2016, the center has admitted 122 patients for fireworks-related burns. The center admits about four patients a day in July, twice that on the Fourth of July and the day after. Many of the non-fireworks holiday injuries involve grilling accidents, campfires, brush fires and holiday cooking.

The News & Observer spoke with burn specialists about when and how to safely treat a burn at home and the common myths that can make an injury worse.

What to do if you get burned

If you’re burned by a sparkler or other firework, Derek Miller, nurse education specialist for burn outreach and prevention at the Jaycee Burn Center, recommends the following steps to reduce the impact:

• Stop the burning immediately: Make sure the heat source is out. Remove clothing or material that is holding heat.
• Manage pain and clean the area: Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help reduce pain as it develops and make cleaning more tolerable. Gently wash the wound with warm water and soap to reduce infection risk.
• Cool the burn: Use cool (not cold) running water or a cool compress for about 20 minutes. Do not use ice or submerge the area in cold water, which can worsen inflammation.
• Cover the burn if needed: Apply antibiotic ointment. If the area is too painful to touch, use petroleum gauze, then put cotton gauze on top. Change the bandage and wash the area once a day.
• Watch for signs of infection: Seek medical care if liquid from the wound changes color (other than clear or pale yellow), or if there is redness and swelling around the wound. Flu-like symptoms can also be a sign of infection.
• Know when to seek care: Get medical attention if the burn is on the hands, face, neck, feet, eyes or genitals, or if pain worsens. Burns larger than about 5% of the body (about five palm plus finger sizes) or burns caused by chemicals should also be checked by a doctor.

Recognizing the type of burn

Get medical care for second-degree and third-degree burns, since they have longer healing times and a higher risk of infection.

• First-degree burns: Skin is red and painful but intact (like a sunburn). No blistering
• Second-degree burns: Blisters are present; skin may be intact or broken, but can leak pale, watery fluid
• Third-degree burns: Skin is dry and leathery

Misconceptions on what helps

Dr. Felicia Williams, a burn surgeon and associate professor in the Department of Surgery at UNC-Chapel Hill, said common at-home remedies such as butter, oil, shortening and toothpaste do not help burns heal and can make treatment more difficult.

These makeshift treatments can trap heat in the skin and worsen the injury, making it harder for medical providers to properly clean the wound. Williams recommends seeking medical care if there is any uncertainty about the severity of a burn.

Burns can also take up to 48 hours to fully develop, meaning an injury that might look minor can later worsen as blisters form or as deeper damage becomes visible. So when in doubt, get professional medical help.