Burn first aid: Cool, Remove, Soak, Cover, Send
Cool for 15–30 minutes, skip home remedies — don't over-soak children or large burns
01 What to do now
- 01
Cool
Immediately run cool tap water over the wound for 15–30 minutes
- 02
Remove
Once thoroughly soaked, carefully remove clothing — use scissors to cut it off if needed, and leave any parts stuck to the skin alone rather than pulling them off
- 03
Soak
Continue soaking in cool water for 15–30 minutes; if the burn is large or the patient is a child or elderly, don't soak too long, to avoid hypothermia
- 04
Cover
Cover the wound with a clean cloth dampened with cooled boiled water — don't apply anything else
- 05
Send
Get to a hospital as quickly as possible
02 Common myths
Applying toothpaste, soy sauce, aloe vera, or other home remedies: only raises infection risk and makes it harder for a doctor to judge how deep the burn is
Popping the blister: a blister is a natural protective layer — popping it increases the chance of infection
Soaking a large burn in cold water for as long as possible: can actually cause hypothermia — cool quickly, then get to a hospital