QuickCheck: Should you put ice on a burn?

IF you burn or scald yourself, you should apply ice to the area to cool it down quickly to prevent more damage from happening. Is this true?

Verdict:

FALSE

Applying ice to a minor burn or scald might actually make the wound worse rather than better as extreme cold can further damage the tissue.

To treat the burn, you should first remove any jewellery or clothing covering the area so that you can properly clean and treat the area.

If the cloth is stuck to the burn however, it's best that you leave it be as trying to peel it off might damage the skin further.

Next, you will want to cool down the burn as quickly as possible. This will help prevent any further damage, reduce the pain and swelling as well as lower the risk of scarring

Instead of using ice, it's best to cool off the affected area by running it under cool water for about 20 minutes.

If you have to clean the affected area, be sure to only use a mild unscented soap.

Covering the burn would also be a good idea to prevent infection by keeping the area clean.

Cling film makes an ideal dressing for a burn as it won't stick to the injury and will help reduce pain by keeping air from the skin's surface.

If the pain is out of control and you are not able to clean it thoroughly, or if the burn is on your face/neck, hands, feet or over a joint you should probably see a doctor.

At the same time, if it looks bad but you don't feel anything that could also be a bad sign as it might mean that the burn is very deep.

Reference:

1. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/burns-and-scalds/

2. https://www.uwhealth.org/news/the-right-way-to-treat-burns

3. https://www.redcross.org.uk/first-aid/learn-first-aid/burns