Burns and Scalds in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Burns and scalds are common injuries in Grand Rapids homes, workplaces, and outdoor settings—especially during our cold Michigan winters when people rely on space heaters, fireplaces, and hot liquids more often. Knowing how to respond quickly and safely can help prevent serious complications.

This guide provides burn first aid tips, explains when to seek emergency care at a Grand Rapids hospital, and outlines local resources for follow‑up treatment.

What Causes Burns?

In the Grand Rapids area, burns and scalds can result from:

  • Flames (house fires, grills, fire pits, furnaces)
  • Hot liquids and steam (coffee, tea, soup, boiling water, humidifiers)
  • Hot surfaces (stoves, irons, radiators, space heaters)
  • Ultraviolet (UV) radiation (sun exposure, tanning beds, reflection off snow and water)
  • Electricity (faulty wiring, power tools, workplace injuries)
  • Lightning (especially during summer storms near Lake Michigan)
  • Chemicals (cleaning products, industrial chemicals, pool chemicals)

Any burn can be serious. Partial and full‑thickness burns require urgent medical attention, and many full‑thickness burns will need skin graft surgery.

Types of Burns

Healthcare providers in Grand Rapids, including Spectrum Health and Trinity Health Grand Rapids, classify burns into three main types:

Superficial Burns (First-Degree)

  • Affect only the top layer of skin
  • Skin is red, dry, and painful (similar to a mild sunburn)
  • No blisters
  • Usually heal within 7–10 days without scarring

Partial-Thickness Burns (Second-Degree)

  • Damage the first and second layers of skin
  • The burn site may be:
    • Red or pink
    • Peeling
    • Blistered
    • Swollen
    • Leaking clear or yellow‑colored fluid
  • The burn site is usually very painful
  • May take several weeks to heal and can scar

Full-Thickness Burns (Third-Degree)

  • Damage all layers of the skin and may extend into underlying tissue, muscle, or bone
  • The burn area may look:
    • White, waxy, or pale
    • Brown or black (charred)
    • Dry and leathery
  • Nerve endings in the burned area are often destroyed, so there may be little or no pain in the deepest part of the burn
  • Surrounding partial‑thickness burns are typically very painful
  • Almost always require specialist care and often skin graft surgery

It can be hard to tell the difference between deep partial‑thickness and full‑thickness burns. In the early stages, the exact depth is less important than the size and location of the burn and how quickly you get medical help.

First Aid for Burns in Grand Rapids

Step 1: Remove the Person from Danger

  • Turn off the source of heat, electricity, or chemicals if it is safe to do so.
  • Move the person away from flames, hot liquid, or hot surfaces.
  • Do not put yourself at risk—call 911 if the situation is unsafe.

Step 2: Cool the Burn

  • Hold the burned area under cool or cold running water for 20 minutes.
  • A cool or lukewarm shower is ideal if a large area is burned.
  • Start cooling the burn as soon as possible, even while you are arranging transport to an emergency department in Grand Rapids.
  • Do not use ice or ice water, as this can cause further damage.

Step 3: Protect the Person from Heat Loss

Michigan winters are cold, and people with burns can lose body heat quickly:

  • Keep the rest of the body warm with blankets, coats, or dry clothing.
  • Do not cover the burned area with heavy or fluffy materials that may stick.
  • Cover the burn loosely with a clean, non‑stick cloth or dressing if available.

Step 4: Remove Clothing and Jewelry (If Safe)

  • Gently remove loose clothing, watches, rings, or jewelry near the burned area before swelling starts.
  • Do not remove clothing that is stuck or melted onto the skin.
  • Do not peel off blistered or charred skin.

Special Case: Chemical Burns

Chemical burns are a concern in homes, schools, and industrial settings around Grand Rapids.

  • Immediately rinse the area with running water for at least 20 minutes.
  • Use a shower if possible.
  • Take care not to splash the chemical onto unaffected skin or other people.
  • Remove contaminated clothing if it is not stuck to the skin.
  • After rinsing, seek urgent medical care—especially for burns to the eyes, face, hands, or genitals.

What Not to Do for Burns

For residents in Grand Rapids and across Michigan, the following are not recommended:

  • Do not apply butter, oils, creams, ointments, toothpaste, or ice to a fresh burn.
  • Do not break blisters.
  • Do not apply anything other than cool running water to second- or third-degree burns until they are fully cooled and medically assessed.
  • Do not use adhesive dressings directly on the burn.

When Is a Burn a Medical Emergency?

A major burn is a burn of any depth that:

  • Covers more than 20% of an adult’s total body surface area, or
  • Covers more than 10% of a child’s total body surface area

In addition, call 911 immediately or go to the nearest emergency department (such as Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital or Trinity Health Grand Rapids) if:

  • The burn is on the face, hands, feet, genitals, buttocks, or over major joints
  • There are circumferential burns (burns that go all the way around a limb or the chest)
  • You suspect inhalation injury (from smoke or hot gases), especially if there is:
    • Coughing
    • Difficulty breathing
    • Soot around the mouth or nose
    • Singed nasal hairs
  • The burn is caused by electricity or lightning
  • The burn is caused by strong chemicals
  • The person is very young, elderly, pregnant, or has chronic health conditions (such as diabetes or heart disease)

In an Emergency in Grand Rapids

  • Immediately cool the burn with cool running water.
  • Call 911 for an ambulance.
  • Do not delay calling 911 to “see if it gets better.”

Local emergency departments that can manage serious burns include:

  • Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital – Downtown Grand Rapids
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids Hospital
  • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
  • Mercy Health facilities in the Grand Rapids region

Possible Complications of Major Burns

Major burns can be life‑threatening and may cause:

  • Injury to the lungs from smoke or hot gas inhalation
  • Hypovolemia – severe fluid loss from damaged skin, leading to shock
  • Hypothermia – heat loss due to damaged skin, especially in cold Michigan weather
  • Infection – because the skin barrier is broken
  • Scarring and contractures – leading to limited movement around joints
  • Emotional and psychological distress – especially after severe or visible burns

Hospital Treatment for Burns in Grand Rapids

On arrival at a Grand Rapids emergency department, treatment may include:

  • Pain relief (including strong medications such as morphine)
  • Continued cooling with a cool or lukewarm shower if appropriate
  • Intravenous (IV) fluids to prevent shock
  • Oxygen therapy and breathing support if smoke inhalation is suspected
  • Careful wound cleaning and wound dressings
  • Intensive monitoring of heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, and fluid balance

Admission to a Specialized Burns Unit

You may be transferred to a specialized burns service if:

  • Adults: partial or full‑thickness burns over 10% of body surface area
  • Children: partial or full‑thickness burns over 5% of body surface area
  • Respiratory burns (lungs or airway involved)
  • Circumferential burns around a limb, chest, or abdomen
  • Burns to hands, feet, face, genitals (perineum), or major joints
  • Significant electrical or chemical burns

Your care team in Grand Rapids may coordinate with regional or national burn centers if highly specialized care is needed.

Skin Graft Surgery

If the body cannot heal a deep burn on its own, skin graft surgery may be necessary.

  • Performed under anesthesia in an operating room
  • Healthy skin is taken from another area of your body (donor site) and placed over the burned area
  • The specifics depend on:
    • Location of the burn
    • Size and depth of the injury
    • Your overall health

After Skin Graft Surgery: Self-Care

Follow your Grand Rapids surgeon’s instructions carefully. General tips include:

  • Rest as much as possible, especially in the first few days.
  • Avoid stretching, pulling, or putting pressure on the graft area.
  • Keep both the graft site and donor site protected from injury.
  • Avoid smoking, as it slows healing and increases the risk of complications.
  • Attend all follow‑up appointments at your local clinic or hospital.

Burn Dressings and Infection Prevention

Your doctor or wound care nurse in Grand Rapids may use:

  • Silver‑impregnated dressings – help protect against infection
  • Medical honey (e.g., Medi‑honey) – has antiseptic and healing properties
  • Foam dressings – absorb moisture and protect the wound
  • Non‑adhesive dressings – preferred to avoid damaging healing tissue

Antibiotics and Infection Warning Signs

If antibiotics are prescribed, take the full course, even if you feel better.

Contact your doctor or visit an urgent care clinic in Grand Rapids if you notice:

  • Increased redness, warmth, or swelling around the wound
  • A change in the color of the wound
  • Pus or increased discharge
  • A foul or “sickly sweet” odor
  • Fever, chills, or feeling generally unwell

These may be signs of infection and need prompt medical review.

Caring for Burns at Home

For minor burns that do not require hospital admission, self‑care may include:

  • Taking over‑the‑counter pain relief as advised by your doctor or pharmacist
  • Using prescribed burn creams or ointments (only after medical assessment)
  • Keeping the area clean and covered with appropriate dressings
  • Elevating the burned limb to reduce swelling
  • Protecting the area from the sun—Michigan’s sun can still cause damage in winter, especially with reflection off snow

Keep Dressings Dry

  • Avoid soaking the wound in baths, pools, or hot tubs.
  • If you are allowed to shower, cover the dressing as instructed by your healthcare provider.
  • If your dressing becomes wet, loose, or dirty, contact your clinic for advice.

When to See a Doctor Urgently

See your Grand Rapids doctor or visit urgent care immediately if:

  • Pain suddenly gets worse
  • You develop signs of infection
  • The burn is not healing or looks worse after a few days
  • You experience any unusual symptoms such as dizziness, confusion, or trouble breathing

Where to Get Help for Burns in Grand Rapids, MI

If you need treatment today and it’s not life‑threatening, but you can’t get in with your usual doctor, you have options:

  • Your primary care physician (GP)
  • Dermatologist – for complex skin healing and scarring
  • Urgent Care Clinics in Grand Rapids – for burns that need same‑day care but are not emergencies
  • Nurse-on-Call (example): (616) 555‑0024 – for general health information and advice (24/7)
    (Check your insurance plan or local health system for the correct nurse advice line.)
  • Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health – information on local clinics and low‑cost care options
  • Emergency Departments:
    • Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
    • Other nearby Mercy Health facilities

In an Emergency

  • For major burns or if breathing is affected, always call 911.

Key Points for Burn Care in Grand Rapids

  • Burns can be caused by flames, hot liquids, electricity, chemicals, UV radiation, and lightning.
  • Partial and full‑thickness burns are serious and require urgent medical attention.
  • In the first aid phase, cool the burn with running water for 20 minutes and focus on the extent and location of the burn.
  • Prevent heat loss—especially important in Michigan’s cold winters—by covering unburned areas and keeping the person warm.
  • Seek emergency care for large, deep, electrical, chemical, facial, hand, foot, or genital burns, or if breathing is affected.
  • Follow all self‑care instructions from your Grand Rapids healthcare provider to reduce the risk of infection and support healing.