What can you do when someone has a burn?

Answer 1

Run the burn under a cold tap for 10 minutes or until heat is no longer felt.

Wrap in clingfilm or something similar. If the burn is bigger than a 50 pence piece, seek medical attention.

Keep the burn cool by wrapping ice in a towel (do not put ice straight on skin, ice can burn skin too) and placing it over the burn.

Answer 2

There are three levels of burns.

1st degree burns are painful and only show redness of the skin. This can be treated with cool, running water- NOT ice. If needed, some aloe or similar OTC medicine can be applied according to their instructions.

2nd degree burns involve blisters, peeling skin, and more pain. This should be treated immediately by running water to cool the area. Sterile gauze can be used to cover the injury. It should be treated by a doctor or at a hospital.

3rd degree burns, or full thickness burns, can involve blackness of the skin, giant blisters or deformed skin, and sometimes missing chunks of skin. They may be very painful or not painful at all if the burn is deep enough to destroy the pain sensors. This needs cool, clean water and immediate treatment by a doctor.

In NO case should you ever apply ice to a burn. This can cool the skin too fast and kill or damage skin cells.