Why Trust U.S. News
How we rate OTC Medicines and Health Products
1100+
brands evaluated
357
pharmacists surveyed
134
dermatologists surveyed
See our full methodology
Key Takeaways
- Minor burns tend to heal on their own within a few weeks, but over-the-counter products may help relieve pain and inflammation during the healing process.
- Popular OTC burn treatments include oral pain relievers and topical creams and ointments.
- Cleaning and protecting the area is the most important step in treating any minor burn.
- You can also treat minor burns at home with non-medicated remedies, such as aloe and petroleum jelly.
Whether you touched a hot pan or spent too much time in the sun, minor burns affect only the top layer of your skin. Also referred to as first-degree burns, minor burns often cause redness, pain, swelling and/or itchiness.
As soon as you get a burn, take off any jewelry or clothing near the area. Run the area under cool water or soak it in cool water for several minutes. Avoid using ice or very cold water, which can make the burn worse. Gently wash the skin with soap and water, then cover it with a clean, nonstick bandage. Replace the bandage daily.
Because most minor burns heal on their own within about three weeks, OTC burn treatments are not always necessary, but they can help alleviate any discomfort and prevent infection.
Common OTC burn treatment ingredients
Products that contain the following ingredients can help you deal with the pain or itch and lower your risk of infection:
- Oral pain relievers. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen can help relieve pain from minor burns. Ibuprofen can also bring down swelling. Both options come in many forms, such as tablets, capsules and liquids. Always follow the dosing instructions on the product label.
- Topical lidocaine. Lidocaine is a numbing medicine that you apply directly to the skin. It’s available as a gel or patch. Most products contain 4% lidocaine. You can usually apply lidocaine gel up to several times a day for one week. If you’re using a lidocaine patch, do not apply it more than two or three times a day, depending on the specific product.
- Topical antibiotics. Antibiotic ointments and creams offer ingredients like neomycin, bacitracin and/or polymyxin, which work to stop bacteria from growing. These products help prevent the burn from getting infected and promote healing. Some OTC antibiotic ointments also contain pain-relieving ingredients, such as pramoxine, which decreases pain sensations in the treated area. You can apply these to the burn up to three times a day for a week.
In general, you don’t need to use these treatments longer than a week. As your skin heals, you should notice less pain, swelling and redness.
SEE:
Top Pharmacist-Recommended First Aid Products.
Side effects from burn treatments are uncommon, but they can still happen. When taken according to the label directions, oral pain relievers like acetaminophen usually don’t cause side effects. Ibuprofen may cause an upset stomach, bloating or dizziness, especially if you take it on an empty stomach. Take ibuprofen with food to help minimize stomach upset.
With topical treatments like lidocaine or antibiotic ointments, some people notice redness, itching or irritation where the product is applied. If these side effects bother you or feel severe, wash the product off right away and stop using it.
Follow the instructions on the label, and check in with your health care provider if anything feels off or if your burn starts to look or feel worse instead of better.
READ:
How to Perform CPR: A Guide to Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.
OTC burn treatments are generally safe, but some people should be cautious.
Always review the label warnings and check the ingredient list. Avoid these products if you’re allergic to any ingredients.
While not a complete list, here are some precautions to keep in mind when considering OTC products for burns:
- Acetaminophen. This pain reliever can cause liver damage at high doses. Don’t exceed 4,000 milligrams of acetaminophen per day. Be sure to check product labels, as many OTC and prescription products contain acetaminophen.
- Ibuprofen. This anti-inflammatory drug should be used with caution if you have heart problems, liver problems, stomach ulcers or take blood thinners like warfarin. It’s not recommended after 20 weeks of pregnancy.
- Topical lidocaine. Ask your doctor before using lidocaine products if you have liver, lung or heart conditions.
- Topical antibiotics. Use caution if you have kidney problems or hearing loss. As a pharmacist, I don’t usually recommend OTC antibiotic creams or ointments for minor burns. They’re not always necessary and can sometimes cause unwanted skin irritation or allergic reactions. Studies suggest they may slow healing compared to nonmedicated options, and using antibiotics too often can make them less effective against future infections. Keeping the burn clean and covered is usually the best way to prevent infection.
The safety of OTC burn products during pregnancy and breastfeeding varies, but acetaminophen is usually a safe choice when you’re looking for pain relief. Talk with your health care provider about what’s safe for you.
SEE
6 Foods for Healthy, Glowing Skin
The safety of OTC burn treatments for kids depends on the specific product and your child’s age. Children should never take or apply these products on their own, and caregivers should store all medications out of reach to avoid accidental ingestion.
Here’s a general guide based on age:
- Age 2 and up. Acetaminophen (dose based on weight) and topical antibiotics are usually safe.
- Age 4 and up. Ibuprofen can be used safely, in child-appropriate doses.
- Age 12 and up. Adult doses of ibuprofen and topical lidocaine are typically safe. Don’t forget to safely dispose of used lidocaine patches to avoid accidental exposure.
As a pharmacist, I always tell parents it’s a good idea to check in with a health care provider if their child gets a burn. Depending on your child’s age and how big or deep the burn is, they might need medical care.
After running cool (not cold) water over a minor burn and gently cleaning the skin with soap and water, taking these next simple steps can make a big difference and are easy to do at home.
As a pharmacist, these are the minor burn home remedies I usually recommend:
- Petroleum jelly. Petroleum jelly does not contain medication. It creates a barrier that protects your skin and keeps it moist while it heals. Apply a thin layer two to three times a day.
- Aloe vera gel. Aloe naturally soothes pain and can help your skin heal faster, especially after a sunburn. Apply it after a shower or whenever your skin feels irritated.
- Bandages or gauze. Cover the burn to protect it from friction and germs. Use nonstick, sterile materials and change them daily. Avoid dressings with loose fibers that could stick to the wound.
- Cold compresses. Applying a cold compress to the burn can help alleviate the pain and reduce swelling. However, be sure not to use excessively cold or frozen compresses, as this can further damage the skin tissue.
- Hydration. Staying hydrated can help ease discomfort, especially after sun exposure.
To prevent sunburn from getting worse, apply sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and reapply it often, especially if you’re swimming or sweating. If you need to be outside, cover the area with clothing to protect your skin while it heals. Too much sun exposure can slow healing and make scarring worse.
Seek emergency care if the burn:
- Is on a baby, young child or older adult
- Appears dark red, dry or glossy
- Covers more than two inches or has many blisters
- Looks infected (symptoms include pain, swelling, pus, fever, swollen lymph nodes or red streaks)
- Hasn’t improved after three weeks
Stop using any product and call your doctor if you:
- Have signs of an allergic reaction
- Develop new or worsening symptoms
- Don’t notice improvement after a week
- Experience any serious or lingering side effects
You may also need a tetanus shot if it’s been more than five years since your last booster.
Whether you use OTC products, home remedies or both, taking the right steps early on can make a big difference in how quickly and comfortably your burn heals. If you’re ever unsure, check with your pharmacist or health care provider.
Learn More
Related Articles
Wellness
Best Summer Workouts: How to Stay Safe in the Heat
Know the weather conditions before you start exercising, and adjust your plan accordingly.
Elaine K. HowleyJan. 31, 2025
Wellness
Signs of Heat Stroke and Hot Weather Safety Tips
Heat stroke is a medical emergency, and it can happen quickly. Here's how to stay safe in the heat to avoid heat stroke.
Vanessa Caceres Jan. 15, 2025
Wellness
How to Do the Heimlich Maneuver on Adults and Infants
Learning life-saving techniques like the Heimlich maneuver could mean the difference between life and death when someone is choking. Learn how.
Christine ComizioDec. 20, 2022
Patient Advice
How to Perform CPR: A Guide to Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
Knowing CPR could mean saving someone's life in the future. Learn how to get certified, what to do if a situation occurs and how to perform CPR.
Vanessa Caceres Dec. 6, 2022
Methodology
The Best OTC Medicine & Health Products are based on the reviews of nearly 500 independent pharmacists and dermatologists.
U.S. News partnered with The Harris Poll, a global market research and consulting firm with more than 65 years of experience conducting surveys. For the 2025 rankings, The Harris Poll randomly assigned 133 over-the-counter categories of health or personal care products to 357 pharmacists and 134 dermatologists who practice in the U.S. and asked them to rank their top three brands for each category based on what products they would most recommend to consumers.
Independence and transparency
Across the 133 categories that were evaluated, each category included between five and 10 products representing their respective brands that could be ranked. More than 1,100 products were included in the survey. The products included in each category were selected to represent their respective brands based on input by several independent pharmacists and dermatologists on our
Medical Review Board. The list of products were finalized by the health editorial team to ensure all products can be purchased without a prescription and are readily available at most pharmacies or pharmacy sections of grocery stores in the U.S.
We independently evaluate the products we recommend. Brands do not pay to be included or ranked in our survey. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. The dermatologists and pharmacists who participated in the survey were paid a small honorarium by The Harris Poll for their time.
OTC category winners
Pharmacists and dermatologists selected their top three brands from representative products in each OTC category assigned to them. At least 112 dermatologists evaluated each skincare-related category and at least 108 pharmacists evaluated each of the other categories. For each evaluation, the top-ranked brand received 5 points, the second-place brand was awarded 3 points and the third-place brand earned 1 point. All unranked brands were given 0 points. Points were averaged for each brand. The results were then rescaled so the winner in each category scored 100 points, and the scores for other brands were expressed as percentages of the top score. Brands were then ranked according to their rescaled scores. Scores were rounded to the nearest whole number.
Category winners and brands that scored within the margin of error of the category winner and achieved a score of 80 or higher were given a Gold Badge in that category. The results: 196 brands received a Gold Badge. In total, 850 products are displayed. Brands that received a score of less than 10 were not included in the final display list. See our full methodology here.
