How to treat a burn: what to do, and the myths to stop

Burns are one of the most common home and workplace injuries, and also one of the most mistreated. Many of our training participants arrive believing old remedies that delay healing. Here is what to do instead.

What to do

• Make the area safe and stop the burning: move away from the heat source.
• Cool the burn under cool or lukewarm running water for 20 minutes.
• Remove rings, watches or clothing near the burn, unless they are stuck to the skin.
• Cover loosely with cling film or a clean, non-fluffy dressing.
• Get medical help for large, deep or facial burns, burns on children, and chemical or electrical burns.

Myths to stop

• Ice or iced water: it can damage the skin further.
• Butter, oil, toothpaste or raw egg: they trap heat and raise infection risk.
• Bursting blisters: they protect the skin underneath.

Want your team to handle burns, bleeding and cardiac arrest with confidence? Our Basic First Aid and CPR training covers all of this, hands-on.