What is the best practice for treating a burn?

Running cold water over a burn for 10-20 minutes is the best practice for treating a burn as it effectively cools the affected area, which helps to reduce pain, inflammation, and the depth of the burn. The goal is to cool the burn to prevent further skin damage and to provide immediate relief. Cold water helps in dissipating the heat from the burn, which is crucial in the early stages after the injury occurs.

Using ice directly on the burn, applying ointment immediately, or leaving the burn exposed to air can lead to complications. Ice can cause further frostbite or damage to already injured tissue due to its extreme cold. Applying ointment too soon can trap heat in the skin and exacerbate the injury or lead to infection. Exposing the burn to air without protection can also leave it vulnerable to dirt and bacteria, increasing the risk of infection. Therefore, cooling the burn with running water is a widely accepted and safe approach to burn treatment.