Burns & Scalds
Cool running water for 20 minutes. That's the core message. Everything else — cling film, not ice, not butter, not toothpaste — flows from understanding why cooling works and what makes burns worse.
Official guide. Emphasises the 20-minute cool water rule.
20 minutes of cool running water. Not cold, not ice — cool. This is the single most effective burn treatment and it works for up to 3 hours after the injury.
Cover the burn loosely with cling film (lengthways, not wrapped around). This protects the burn, reduces pain, and lets medics see the injury without removing a dressing.
NEVER apply butter, toothpaste, oil, or ice to a burn. These trap heat and cause further damage.
Any burn larger than the casualty's palm, any burn on the face/hands/feet/genitals, or any burn that goes all the way around a limb needs hospital treatment.
Cool the burn under cool running water for at least 20 minutes
Remove clothing and jewellery from the burned area (unless stuck to the burn)
Do NOT apply ice, butter, toothpaste, or any cream
After cooling: cover loosely with cling film (laid on, not wrapped tight)
For small burns: a sterile non-adhesive dressing is fine after cooling
For chemical burns: brush off any dry chemical first, then irrigate with water for 20+ minutes
Call 999 for: burns larger than the casualty's palm, facial burns, burns that circle a limb, chemical/electrical burns
Keep the casualty warm (burns cause rapid heat loss). Give sips of water if conscious and able to swallow
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