Burn Care

Burn treatment at The Alexander Burn Center

For most people, wound healing is a natural, normal process. However, for some individuals, wound healing is a complex medical problem that requires special treatment and care within the hospital. Our team of professionals at the Alexander Burn Center provides a multi-disciplinary approach to treatment, offering extensive assessment of your condition, patient education and support services, as well as a wide range of wound care and pain management services.

The Alexander Burn Center offers non-emergency wound care for patients who do not require hospitalization. Care at our clinic is typically provided weekly or biweekly, and until your burns have healed. 

Our specialists offer burn care treatment as well as helpful information on the following:

• Blisters
• Burn prevention and safety
• Cuts and bruises
• Discolored skin
• Dressings and creams
• Itching and dryness
• Nutrition
• Pediatric burns
• Scarring
• Sensitivity to cold
• Sensitivity to light

To make an appointment at our burn center, please obtain a physician’s referral. For more information about our services, please call (918) 579-4580.

For providers: To transfer or refer a patient, please call the One Call Transfer number at 855-551-CALL (2255). Press option No. 2 for Alexander Burn Center. Refer to the Burn Center Referral Criteria.

Burn first aid

Burns are classified in three stages based on their severity. Below are some basic first-aid guidelines to follow immediately after a burn. Any burn deeper than a sun burn should be evaluated by a physician. Remember, if clothing is on fire – stop, drop and roll.

First degree burn

First degree burns are the least serious of burns. The skin usually turns red, with swelling and pain sometimes present.

First aid:

• Place the burn under cool running water for at least five minutes
• Do not use ice
• Do not use lards, butter or ointments
• Cover the burn with a sterile gauze bandage
• Take an over the counter pain reliever

Second degree burn

Second degree burns are deeper with blisters and severe pain.

First aid:

• Place the burn under cool running water for at least five minutes
• Do not use ice
• Do not break any blisters
• Cover the burn with a sterile gauze bandage
• Treat as a major burn and get medical help

Third degree burn

The most serious burns are painless – they involve several layers of tissue damage and tissue may be charred black or appear dry and white.

First aid:

• Dial 911 or call for emergency medical assistance immediately
• Do not remove burnt clothing
• Do not immerse large, severe burns in cold water
• Check for circulation, breathing, coughing and movement; if no circulation, begin CPR
• Difficulty breathing may occur if smoke inhalation accompanies burn
• Elevate the burned body part above heart level, if possible
• Cover the burn with a clean, moist bandage or cloth

Burn prevention at home

Deaths from fires and burns are the fifth most common cause of unintentional injury deaths in the United States and the third leading cause of fatal home injury. Below, we’ve compiled a number of tips to help you stay safe from fires and burns at home.

Bathroom:

• Install a thermostat-controlled faucet or showerhead
• Keep water heater temperature below 130° F to prevent burns in the shower or bath
• Supervise young children while they are in the bath and keep the hot water faucet off

Kitchen:

• Avoid wearing long, loose sleeves around gas cook stoves
• Be mindful of hot foods and liquids that can cause scalding
• In case of a grease fire, turn the burner off. Cover it with a lid or cookie sheet. Do NOT throw water on a grease fire. Baking soda may be used to put out a grease fire.
• Keep lighters and matches away from young children
• Keep pot and pan handles turned to the inside of the stove

Oklahoma Firefighter’s Burn Camp for kids

The Oklahoma Firefighter’s Burn Camp is a free, 5-day camp designed for children that have survived a burn injury requiring surgery or hospitalization, or children that have disfiguring injuries.  Burn Camp was established in 1999 and is open to children between the ages of 6 – 16 years old.  Nurses and therapists from the Alexander Burn  Center volunteer each year at Burn Camp, as well as firefighters, paramedics, and nurses from the Eastern part of the state.

For more information regarding The Oklahoma Firefighter’s Burn Camp find them on Facebook at Oklahoma Firefighters Burn Camp or on their website at www.okffburncamp.org.

Helpful resources

Click below for additional resources on fire safety, burn supports groups, and more.

• American Burn Association
• Children’s Fire Safety
• Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors
• Call TABS (Tulsa Area Burn Survivors) at 918-691-7802

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