Burn care

When you or a loved one has a burn injury, look to Spectrum Health for personalized care that helps you heal.

Burns are classified based on how deep they go and how much damage they cause:

• First-degree burn – Affects only the outer layer of skin; may be red and dry without any blisters
• Second-degree burn – Reaches the second layer of skin; may be red, blistered, glossy-looking and swollen
• Third-degree burn – Destroys both layers of skin and reaches the tissues below; might not feel painful because your nerves are damaged

You can care for many first-degree burns and small second-degree burns at home. Or, take advantage of timely care from Spectrum Health.

Some burns need specialized treatment right away. Visit an emergency room or the Spectrum Health Regional Burn Center when you experience:

• Burn and a chronic (long-term) condition that affects healing, such as diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease
• Burn on your face, hands, feet or groin
• Chemical or electrical burn
• Exposure to smoke, chemicals or gases that could damage your airways
• Second-degree burns on more than 10% of your body
• Third-degree burns

Get in-person care for your burn close to home. If you need advanced care, rely on us to coordinate a smooth transfer to our burn center in Grand Rapids.