Cool the burn under running water for a full 20 minutes - the single most important step - then remove nearby jewelry, cover loosely with cling film or a clean plastic bag, and take acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
Never use ice, and skip butter, oil, and toothpaste. Do not pop blisters, and never peel stuck clothing. Get medical care for burns bigger than the person's hand; anything on the face, hands, feet, joints, or genitals; all chemical and electrical burns; white or charred skin; and any burn on a baby or toddler. Pymander is a free AI doctor, 24/7 by text, and can help you judge severity.
What to do
Common questions
How do you treat a burn at home?
The single most important step is immediate cooling: hold the burn under cool running water for a full 20 minutes - that is the NHS and burn-unit standard, and it genuinely limits how deep the damage goes. Do it as soon as possible; it helps even an hour or more later. Remove rings, watches, and tight clothing near the burn before swelling starts, but never pull off anything stuck to the burn itself. Then cover loosely with cling film or a clean plastic bag laid over (not wrapped tight around) the area - it keeps the burn clean and reduces pain from air exposure - and take acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain. Never use ice (it damages tissue), and skip the folk remedies: no butter, oil, toothpaste, or egg whites. Do not pop blisters. Get medical care for burns larger than the person's hand, anything on the face, hands, feet, joints, or genitals, all chemical and electrical burns, white or charred skin, and any burn in a baby or toddler. Pymander is a free AI doctor, 24/7 by text, that can help you judge the depth and size.