Summer Burns: Types, Treatment, and When to Visit iCare ER & Urgent Care

Summer is a season of fun, but it also brings unique health risks—especially burn injuries. Whether from a long beach day, backyard cookout, fireworks celebration, or even pool chemicals, burns can happen fast and range from mild to life-threatening.

At iCare ER & Urgent Care, we treat all types of burns—minor and severe—in one convenient location. Our dual-model system ensures you receive the exact level of care you need, without delay.

Understanding the Types of Burns You Might Encounter This Summer

☀️ 1. Sunburn

Caused by prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, sunburn is the most common summer burn. While most are mild, severe sunburns can blister, cause fever, and even lead to dehydration or sun poisoning.

Signs a sunburn needs medical attention:

• Severe blistering or skin peeling

• Fever, chills, or nausea

• Dizziness, confusion, or signs of heat exhaustion

• Skin infection (redness, pus, swelling)

🍔 2. Thermal Burns from Grills or Campfires

Backyard grills, fire pits, and campfires are summer staples—but they’re also common causes of thermal burns. Hot grease, open flames, or faulty equipment can quickly lead to painful injuries.

Seek care if:

• The burn is larger than 3 inches

• The burn is on the hands, face, feet, joints, or groin

• Skin appears white, blackened, or charred

• Pain is severe or increasing over time

🎇 3. Firework-Related Burns and Injuries

Fireworks—especially homemade or improperly handled ones—cause thousands of ER visits every summer. Even sparklers burn at over 1,200°F.

Visit iCare immediately for:

• Burns with visible tissue damage

• Eye injuries, vision changes, or hearing loss

• Burns from explosions or high-pressure impacts

• Smoke inhalation or difficulty breathing

🧴 4. Chemical Burns (Pool Chemicals, Cleaners, etc.)

From pool shock treatments to household cleaners used more frequently in summer months, chemical burns often occur when strong substances contact the skin or eyes.

Symptoms include:

• Burning, itching, or stinging sensations

• Skin discoloration or blistering

• Eye redness, pain, or blurred vision

• Breathing difficulties from chemical fumes

Tip: Rinse affected area immediately with cool, clean water for 15–20 minutes and head to iCare for evaluation—especially for eye exposure or deep tissue irritation.

☕ 5. Scalds from Hot Liquids or Steam

Boiling water, coffee spills, or steam from outdoor cooking gear can cause scald burns, which are particularly dangerous in children and older adults.

Look out for:

• Blistering or peeling skin

• Swelling or signs of infection

• Burns covering sensitive areas or large surfaces

🧱 6. Contact Burns (Hot Metal, Asphalt, Equipment)

Touching hot surfaces—like seatbelt buckles, playground equipment, or even asphalt—can cause contact burns, especially in triple-digit heat.

Even brief contact can cause first- or second-degree burns, so monitor kids and pets closely and avoid prolonged exposure to sun-heated surfaces.

 How to Tell If a Burn Is Serious: Degrees of Burns Explained

• First-degree burns: Red, dry skin, mild pain (e.g., mild sunburn)

• Second-degree burns: Blisters, swelling, moist appearance, intense pain

• Third-degree burns: White, black, or leathery skin; may be numb due to nerve damage

If you’re unsure, let our team assess it. Delaying care can lead to infection, scarring, or long-term damage.

🏥 Why iCare ER & Urgent Care Is Your Best First Stop

Burn injuries can be confusing and painful. At iCare ER & Urgent Care, we make it simple to get the help you need—fast.

• Urgent Care: For minor burns, sunburns, or small blisters

• Emergency Room: For moderate to severe burns, large surface areas, and trauma

• Onsite labs, wound care, imaging, and IV fluids available 24/7

• No appointment necessary

While we are a fully equipped emergency room, some critical burns—especially third-degree burns, burns over large areas, or burns involving the face or airway—may require highly specialized care. In these cases, our goal is to quickly stabilize your condition and arrange transfer to a certified burn center.

✅ When to Visit iCare

Come to iCare ER & Urgent Care if:

• A burn is larger than the size of your palm

• The burn is deep or blistering

• It affects a sensitive or functional area (hands, face, joints, groin)

• You feel faint, dizzy, or show signs of infection

• You’re not sure how serious it is

💡 Burns Can’t Wait. And Neither Should You.

Burns can be painful, serious, and unpredictable. If you or a loved one is burned this summer, don’t wait and wonder—come see us at iCare ER & Urgent Care: Frisco, Fort Worth, Forney. Whether it’s a minor sunburn or a fireworks injury, we’re equipped to handle it all in one place.