Minor burns and sunburn
A small superficial burn may cause redness and tenderness. Burn depth and location are difficult to judge from a photograph alone.
Common symptoms
- Redness of the skin
- Pain or tenderness
- Mild swelling
- Peeling skin (with sunburn)
A useful care conversation
Tell the clinician what caused the burn, its size, location and timing. Cool a recent minor heat burn with cool water; do not use ice. The clinician can discuss skin care and whether an examination is needed.
When to seek more care
- Seek prompt in-person care for deep, charred or large burns, or burns involving the face, hands or genitals.
- Chemical or electrical burns, breathing problems or major burns need emergency evaluation.
General educational information, not a diagnosis or a complete symptom checker. The right care depends on your circumstances.
For an emergency, call 911. Do not wait for a Tap reply or send a photo first.
About this information
Adapted from Tap’s published care-topic library. Original publication: 2025-01-01. Prepared for this guide: 2026-09-07. Preparation is not a clinical-review certification.
The clinician decides whether advice, testing, an examination or a prescription is appropriate. A listed topic does not guarantee remote treatment or a refill. Tap does not prescribe controlled substances.