How should burns be treated initially?

The recommended initial treatment for burns focuses on minimizing tissue damage, alleviating pain, and preventing infection. Cooling the burn for 20 minutes with lukewarm (not ice-cold) water is essential as it helps to stop the burning process and reduces the temperature of the skin, which can mitigate further injury.

Pain relief is also a critical component of the initial treatment, as burns can be extremely painful. Providing adequate pain management improves patient comfort and can facilitate further treatment.

Furthermore, using cling film (or a clean plastic wrap) to cover the burn is advantageous as it helps protect the area from infection and retains moisture, which is beneficial for the healing process. This approach is widely endorsed by emergency and healthcare guidelines, affirming it as the most effective immediate response to burns.

Other treatment options, such as applying ice directly to the burn or using antiseptic ointment immediately, may worsen the injury or delay appropriate care. Covering a burn with a dry cloth may not provide the protective benefits that cling film can offer, potentially increasing the risk of infection.