By Nurse on Duty · 25 October 2026 · Based on the sources listed below
To treat a burn at home, cool it under cool running water for 20 minutes as soon as possible, remove nearby jewellery or clothing that is not stuck, and cover it loosely with cling film or a clean, non-stick dressing. Small, shallow burns usually heal well at home, but large, deep, electrical, or chemical burns need emergency care.
First aid for a burn: step by step
Acting quickly in the first few minutes limits damage to the skin and eases pain. Follow these steps for heat burns and scalds from hot liquids or steam.
- Stop the burning. Move away from the heat source and put out any flames safely. Make sure you are safe before you help someone else.
- Cool the burn. Hold it under cool running water for 20 minutes. If there is no running water, use cool bottled water or a wet towel. For a burn on the face, a cool, wet cloth is easier.
- Remove tight items. Take off rings, watches, and clothing near the burn before swelling starts, but leave anything stuck to the skin.
- Keep the person warm. Cool only the burned area, not the whole body. Babies, older adults, and people with large burns can get dangerously cold.
- Cover loosely. Once cooled, lay cling film over the burn or use a clean, non-stick dressing. Do not wrap it tightly around a limb.
- Ease the pain. Adults can use over-the-counter pain relievers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, following the label. For children, ask a pharmacist or doctor which medicine and dose is right for their weight and age.
NHS and WHO advise about 20 minutes of cooling; Mayo Clinic gives about 10 minutes as a minimum. If you can, aim for the full 20 minutes.
What not to put on a burn
Many traditional remedies trap heat, irritate damaged skin, or raise the risk of infection. Skip these:
- Ice or ice-cold water, which can damage the skin further
- Butter, cooking oil, toothpaste, or toothpaste-like pastes
- Creams or ointments before the burn has been cooled and checked
- Sticky plasters or fluffy cotton wool that can stick to the wound
- Bursting blisters, which protect the healing skin underneath
If a blister breaks on its own, Mayo Clinic suggests gently cleaning it with water and covering it.
How to tell how serious a burn is
Burns are often described by how deep they go. A shallow burn affects only the top layer of skin; deeper burns reach lower layers and need medical care.
Size matters too. Mayo Clinic advises emergency care for a burn wider than about 3 inches (about 8 cm).
Caring for a minor burn while it heals
Small burns often heal at home within about 2 weeks. A few simple habits help the skin recover.
- Keep the dressing clean and dry, and change it if it gets wet or dirty.
- Once the burn has cooled and starts to heal, a gentle moisturiser or emollient can ease dryness and itching; a pharmacist can suggest one.
- Protect healing skin from the sun, which can darken scars.
- Check your tetanus status. If the burn is deep and your last tetanus shot was more than 5 years ago, ask your doctor whether you need a booster.
Burns cause fluid loss through damaged skin, so drink enough water while you recover. Learn the early warning signs in our guide to signs of dehydration in adults.
When to get medical help
Call your local emergency number or go to the emergency department straight away if:
- The burn is large, deep, or wraps around an arm or leg
- The skin looks white, leathery, or charred
- The burn is on the face, hands, feet, genitals, buttocks, or a major joint
- It was caused by electricity, lightning, or a chemical
- The person breathed in smoke or may have a breathing (inhalation) injury
- Swelling starts very fast, or the person seems very unwell
See a doctor, nurse, or pharmacist soon if:
- A baby, young child, or older adult has been burned
- You are unsure how serious the burn is
- The burn shows signs of infection, such as spreading redness, more swelling, pus, or fever
- The burn is not healing after about 2 weeks
Do not drive yourself if the burn is serious. Ask someone to take you, or call an ambulance.
How to prevent burns at home
WHO notes that children are among those most often hurt by burns, and many injuries happen in the kitchen.
- Keep hot drinks, kettles, and pans out of children’s reach, and turn pan handles inward.
- Set your water heater to a safer temperature and test bath water before a child gets in.
- Fit and test smoke alarms regularly.
- Keep matches, lighters, and chemicals locked away.
Frequently asked questions
How long should you run a burn under cold water?
Cool a burn under cool, not ice-cold, running water for about 20 minutes, as advised by the NHS and WHO. Start as soon as possible; cooling still helps up to 3 hours after the injury. If 20 minutes is not possible, Mayo Clinic gives about 10 minutes as a minimum. Keep the rest of the body warm.
Should you cover a burn or let it breathe?
Cover it. After cooling, lay cling film loosely over the burn or use a clean, non-stick dressing. A covering protects the wound from dirt and germs and can reduce pain from air touching the skin. Avoid fluffy materials or sticky plasters, which can stick to the burn, and never wrap a limb tightly.
Is it OK to put toothpaste or butter on a burn?
No. Toothpaste, butter, and oils can trap heat in the skin, irritate the wound, and make infection more likely. They also make it harder for a doctor to assess the burn. Cool running water is the most effective first aid. Once a minor burn has cooled and begins to heal, a gentle moisturiser can help.
Related on Nurses Notes
- How to stop a nosebleed: first aid steps
- Signs of dehydration in adults and what to do
- How to bring down a child’s fever safely
- All health tips
Sources
- Burns and scalds – NHS, reviewed March 2026
- Burns: First aid – Mayo Clinic, April 2026
- Burns (fact sheet) – World Health Organization, October 2026
- Burns – MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, U.S. National Library of Medicine, April 2026
This article is for education only and does not replace advice from your own doctor, nurse, or other qualified health professional.