How should I treat a minor burn at home?
Answered by the AskDoc Medical Team · Medically reviewed under our Medical Director, MBBS
Cool running water over the burn for a full twenty minutes, as soon as possible, is the single most effective step and keeps working up to three hours after injury. No ice, no butter, no toothpaste, each worsens the damage.
After cooling: a simple non-stick dressing or clean film wrap, and pain relief as needed. Leave blisters intact.
Seek care for burns larger than the person's palm, any deep or painless white or charred areas, burns on face, hands, genitals or across joints, electrical or chemical burns, and all significant burns in children and older adults.
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Health education, not personal medical advice. In an emergency, contact your local emergency service now.