Pharmacist advice
Minor cuts and burns
A small clean cut or a small superficial burn can often be cared for at home. Large, deep, or infected wounds need a clinician.
A pharmacist cannot prescribe for this from this page.
What usually helps
- Rinse a small cut with clean water. Cover it with a non-stick dressing. Petrolatum can keep a closed scrape moist.
- Cool a minor burn under cool running water for several minutes. Do not use ice, butter, or toothpaste.
Talk to a pharmacist first
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- The person is under 12, unless the note below gives a different age.
- You take other medicines, or you have a long-term condition.
- The cut is from a dirty object, or your tetanus vaccines are not up to date.
See a doctor or call 911
- Bleeding that does not slow, a wound that gapes, a burn larger than the palm, or a burn on the face, hands, or genitals.
- Increasing redness, pus, or fever.
- Call 911 for a large burn, trouble breathing, or a burn from electricity or chemicals.
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Reviewed by a BC pharmacist.