Burn gel: lidocaine for minor burns, how to use it, and its limits
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- Water-Jel Burn Jel. Best for: Kitchen and household minor burns. See options on Amazon
- ALOCANE Max Gel. Best for: Minor burns and scrapes needing an antiseptic. See options on Amazon
- Single-use burn gel packets. Best for: First aid kits and travel. See options on Amazon
Cool the burn first
For a minor burn, Mayo Clinic says to run cool, not cold, water over the area for about 10 minutes, or apply a cool, wet cloth if the burn is on the face. Gently remove rings or anything tight before swelling starts, then cover the burn with a clean, loose bandage.
Mayo Clinic warns against cold water, which can make the injury worse, and against butter, toothpaste or oil, which can trap heat and cause irritation. For why ice is not recommended, see our burn first aid guide.
Burn gels compared
| Product | Active ingredients | Label use |
|---|---|---|
| Water-Jel Burn Jel | Lidocaine HCl 2.0% | Pain from minor burns |
| First Aid Only Lidocaine Burn Gel | Lidocaine hydrochloride 2% | Pain from minor burns |
| ALOCANE Max Gel | Lidocaine HCl 4.0%, benzalkonium chloride 0.13% | Pain and itching from minor burns, cuts, sunburn and scrapes, plus first aid antiseptic |
Details are from each product's Drug Facts label on DailyMed. All three are external analgesics; ALOCANE Max adds an antiseptic to help prevent infection.
Check the inactive ingredients if your skin reacts to plant extracts: both 2% gels list tea tree leaf oil, and ALOCANE Max lists aloe leaf juice and vitamin E. The First Aid Only label also says not to use it on wounds or damaged skin.
How to apply burn gel
- Who: adults and children 2 years and older. For children under 2, the labels say to consult a doctor.
- How often: not more than 3 to 4 times daily.
- How much: Water-Jel says to spread a thick, even layer over affected skin; ALOCANE says a small amount, and that you may cover it with a sterile bandage after it dries.
- Clean first: ALOCANE's directions say to clean the affected area before applying.
Mayo Clinic also lists over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen, naproxen sodium or acetaminophen if needed.
Where not to use it
- Large areas: do not use on large areas of the body or in large quantities.
- Broken or blistered skin: Water-Jel says not on broken, blistered or oozing skin; the others say not over raw surfaces or blistered areas.
- Eyes: avoid contact with the eyes.
- Serious wounds: ALOCANE says ask a doctor first for deep or puncture wounds, animal bites or serious burns.
- Pregnancy: ALOCANE says ask a health care professional before use if pregnant or breastfeeding.
Mayo Clinic says not to pop blisters, since they protect against infection. If one breaks, clean it gently with water and apply an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment; see our antibiotic ointment guide.
Burns that need emergency care
Mayo Clinic says to call 911 or go to the emergency room if a burn goes through all layers of skin, looks dry, leathery or charred, is larger than 3 inches across, affects the face, hands, feet, genitals, buttocks or a major joint, wraps around an arm or leg, comes with smoke inhalation, or swells very fast. Burns from electricity, lightning or strong chemicals need emergency help too.
Babies and older adults might need emergency care even for minor burns. A burn gel is not a treatment for any of these.
After the first day
Labels say to stop use and ask a doctor if the condition worsens, if symptoms persist for more than 7 days, or if they clear up and come back within a few days. Once the burn has cooled and begins to mend, Mayo Clinic says a lotion with aloe vera or cocoa butter can soothe the skin and prevent dryness; see our aloe vera gel guide.
If a burn is deep and you have not had a tetanus shot in the past five years, Mayo Clinic says you may need a booster. Keep single-use burn gel packets in your first aid kit.
What to look for when you buy
Water-Jel Burn Jel
Best for: Kitchen and household minor burns
Its label lists lidocaine HCl 2.0% for temporary relief of pain from minor burns.
Watch out: Not on broken, blistered or oozing skin.
See options on AmazonALOCANE Max Gel
Best for: Minor burns and scrapes needing an antiseptic
Its label lists lidocaine HCl 4.0% with benzalkonium chloride 0.13% as a first aid antiseptic.
Watch out: Ask a professional first if pregnant or breastfeeding.
See options on AmazonSingle-use burn gel packets
Best for: First aid kits and travel
Sealed packets keep a dose ready in a kit; check the label for lidocaine strength.
Watch out: No more than 3 to 4 times daily.
See options on AmazonQuestions people ask
- What does burn gel do?
- Lidocaine burn gels give temporary relief of pain from minor burns; they do not replace cooling or medical care.
- Should I cool a burn before using burn gel?
- Yes. Mayo Clinic says run cool, not cold, water over it for about 10 minutes.
- How often can I use burn gel?
- Labels say not more than 3 to 4 times daily for adults and children 2 and older.
- Can I put burn gel on a blister?
- No. Labels say not on blistered, broken or raw skin.
- Is 4% lidocaine stronger than 2%?
- It is a higher concentration; both are labeled for temporary pain relief of minor burns.
Sources
- Burns: First aid (mayoclinic.org), Mayo Clinic
- Water-Jel Burn Jel (lidocaine hydrochloride) label (dailymed.nlm.nih.gov), DailyMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- First Aid Only Lidocaine Hydrochloride Analgesic Burn Gel label (dailymed.nlm.nih.gov), DailyMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- ALOCANE Max (lidocaine hydrochloride and benzalkonium chloride) gel label (dailymed.nlm.nih.gov), DailyMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine