How long should I run a burn under cold water?
Run a burn under cool running water for a full twenty minutes, starting as soon as you can. It still helps up to three hours after the injury. Not ice, not butter, not toothpaste, and not for two minutes, which is where most people stop.
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.
Source: NHS, burns and scalds treatment
See a doctor promptly if
- Any burn larger than the person's palm, or any burn on the face, hands, feet, genitals, or across a joint
- A deep burn: white, brown or charred skin, or a burn with no pain, which signals damaged nerves
- Burns from electricity or chemicals, any burn in a baby or young child, and any burn with signs of infection: spreading redness, pus, rising pain or fever
Answered by the AskDoc Medical Team · Medically reviewed under our Medical Director, MBBS · How we review
If you are buying a thermometer
A basic digital stick thermometer is accurate and costs a few dollars. Forehead scanners are fine for quick checks on children; ear thermometers need good technique to read true.
Buying through this link supports the free library with a small commission. It never changes a pick.
A spot, rash or mole of your own?
Upload up to three photos. A dermatologist replies in writing within 24 hours.
People also ask
Health education, not medical advice.