Treating Bacon Grease Burns: 14 Tips to Soothe and Heal

Sizzling bacon grease can cause painful burns in an instant. If you’ve experienced a bacon grease burn, you know how suddenly it happens and how much it stings. The hot oil can splash out of the pan, pop as it cooks, or spill as you drain it. Bacon grease burns often affect the hands, arms, torso, and face. Don’t panic if you get burned—there are many things you can do to treat a bacon grease burn and alleviate the pain. Follow these 14 tips to soothe, cool, and help heal minor burns from bacon grease.

1. Run Cool Water Over the Burn

As soon as you get splattered by hot bacon grease, immediately run cool water over the affected area Cool water reduces skin temperature and provides instant relief from burning pain Hold the burn under gently running water for 10-15 minutes to halt cooking of the skin and soothe the burn. Avoid using ice water as it could damage tissue. Cool water is best for cooling a minor burn.

2. Remove Hot or Tight Clothing

If any clothing got hit by the bacon grease, gently remove it to stop the burning process. Loose fitting clothes are best after a burn to avoid rubbing on tender skin. Avoid applying any creams butter or oil to the skin which could seal in heat.

3. Apply a Cold Compress

Wrap an ice pack or bag of frozen vegetables in a towel and apply to the bacon grease burn for 10-20 minutes to reduce pain, inflammation and blistering. Reapply a cold compress anytime the burn starts throbbing again.

4. Keep the Burn Elevated

After cooling, keep the burned area elevated above heart level to reduce swelling. Prop up hands and arms on pillows. Simply raising the wound can help decrease pain.

5. Take an Anti-Inflammatory

Pop an over-the-counter pill such as ibuprofen or naproxen to relieve swelling and discomfort from the bacon grease burn. Consult your doctor about taking oral medication if you have any health conditions.

6. Apply Aloe Vera Gel

Pure aloe vera gel from a plant or bottle can instantly soothe burned skin. Aloe contains cooling properties that alleviate pain. Reapply the soothing gel several times a day. Do not use creams, butter or ointments which can trap in heat.

7. Try a Baking Soda Paste

Make a thick paste with baking soda and water and gently spread over the burn to relieve stinging. Baking soda helps neutralize the burn. Rinse off after 15 minutes and pat dry.

8. Use Vinegar

Wipe white vinegar over the burned area using a cotton ball. Its acetic acid can temporarily relieve pain. You can also soak the burn in a shallow vinegar bath. Rinse skin after 15 minutes.

9. Take an Oatmeal Bath

An oatmeal bath can help soothe burned skin. Grind 1-2 cups of uncooked oatmeal into a fine powder and run a lukewarm bath. Add the oatmeal and soak for 15-20 minutes to ease discomfort. Air dry skin instead of toweling off.

10. Apply Honey

Honey is a natural wound healer because of its antimicrobial properties. After cooling the burn, gently spread on a layer of pure honey. It may briefly sting before soothing. Rinse off after 15-20 minutes.

11. Try a Wet Bandage

Wrap the burn loosely with a wet bandage or clean cloth soaked in cool water. This protects skin and eases pain. Re-wet the bandage every few hours to keep it cool. Remove if skin becomes very white, blue or numb.

12. Take OTC Medication

Over-the-counter burn gels, creams and sprays with lidocaine or pramoxine can temporarily numb pain. Always follow product instructions. Avoid applying these to large burns.

13. Keep it Moisturized

Once cooled, apply a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer to the burn several times a day to hydrate, reduce peeling and enhance healing. Avoid using butter or greasy ointments.

14. See a Doctor

Get medical attention if the burn is large, on the face or genitals, or if blisters appear. Signs of infection like increasing pain, redness, fever or pus also warrant a doctor visit. Severe burns may require prescription medication or surgery.

Healing Burns, Staying Safe

Most minor bacon grease burns can be safely treated at home with these remedies. Keep the wound clean, covered and moisturized as it heals. Avoid popping blisters which can cause infection. Remember to use caution when cooking with hot oils like bacon grease by wearing long sleeves, an apron, oven mitts and by keeping kids at a safe distance. Act quickly if burned so you can cool, soothe and heal.