Multiple trusted health organisations, including NHS Inform, British Red Cross and Patient, recommend cooling a burn under running water for at least 20 minutes.
NHS Inform states:
“Cool the burn with cool or lukewarm running water for at least 20 minutes.”
This should be done as quickly as possible and is the best way to reduce pain, swelling and risk of scarring. You should always continue cooling the burn for the full 20 minutes.
The rest of the guide explains in more detail the best way to cool a burn, the science behind why cooling a burn is so important and wider first aid advice on responding to burns and scalds.
How to cool a burn safely?
To cool a burn safely, run cool or lukewarm water over it for at least 20 minutes, ideally immediately after the injury has taken place, to stop the burning.
Remove jewellery or tight clothing around the burn area, but do not remove anything stuck to the skin. While cooling the burn, keep the rest of the casualty’s body warm with clothing or blankets to reduce the risk of hypothermia.
Do not use ice, icy water, cream or butter to cool the burn as these retain heat and may increase the risk of infection. You can use a cold compress if no running water is available.
After the burn has been cooled for at least 20 minutes, cover loosely with a non-fluffy sterile dressing or clingfilm. Don’t pop any burn blisters, as these help protect the skin underneath.
You should seek medical assistance (999 or A&E) if:
The burn is on the casualty’s face, hands or genitals.
The burn is larger than your hand.
The casualty is a baby, child or older adult.
The burn was caused by electricity or chemicals.
The burn is very large or very deep (for example, you can see charred or white skin).
The casualty has difficulty breathing or is in shock.
For a complete step-by-step guide on how to cool a burn safely and how to provide safe first aid for burns and scalds, download our First Aid for Burns Poster.
How quickly should you cool a burn?
You should cool a burn immediately to put a halt to the burning process, or as soon as is practically possible to do so. According to research undertaken by UC Davis Health, applying cool running water for 20 minutes within the first three hours of a burn injury can improve outcomes.
Should you put cool water on a burn?
Yes, you should put a burn under cool water for at least 20 minutes, as soon as possible after the injury has taken place. This stops the burning process, helping to reduce swelling, alleviate pain and promote healing.
You should always use cool or lukewarm water to cool a burn, and not icy or ice-cold water. The extreme cold restricts blood flow to the injured area, which can damage tissue, make the injury worse and leave you more at risk of infection.
Putting ice or icy water on a burn can also lead to other potential complications, including frostbite.
The Cleveland Clinic advises:
“If you apply ice to a burn, especially one that runs deep into your skin, you risk not being able to tell when the affected area has become too cold. And if you leave ice on a burn for too long, you can end up with frostnip, a dangerous precursor to frostbite, and increased damage to your burn and surrounding tissues.”
What cools down a burn best?
The best way to cool down a burn is to run the injured area under cool or lukewarm water for at least 20 minutes. This should be done as soon as possible after the injury has taken place to stop the burning process, reduce swelling and pain, and prevent long-term scarring.
Best Burn Cooling Practices:
Use running water for 20 minutes minimum. If no running water is available, you can use cool bottled water or submerge the burn in a container of cool water. Alternatively, you can use a cold compress or a wet cloth if no water is available.
Cool or lukewarm water should be used. Ideally, the water should be between 2-15°C - it should be cool, but not ice-cold. Never use ice or ice water on a burn.
Cool quickly. In the event of a burn or scald, it’s important to cool the injured area as quickly as possible to stop the burning process. Run the burn under cool water immediately after the injury has occurred, or as soon as possible.
Keep the rest of the body warm. While cooling the burn, use blankets or clothing to keep the rest of the casualty warm to prevent hypothermia.
Why does cooling a burn help?
Cooling a burn is vital because it stops the burning process. It removes residual heat, which prevents further damage to the tissue. According to the British Burn Association (BBA) First Aid Clinical Practice Guidelines:
“The prompt and effective application of burns first aid has been shown to positively impact on the burn outcome, preventing further tissue damage and reducing subsequent morbidity.”
Key Reasons for Cooling Burns:
Stops the burn process. Even when the original heat source is removed, residual heat remains in the skin, causing further damage. Cool water helps to dissipate this heat, stopping the burn from deepening.
Reduces pain. Cool water numbs the injured area, providing fast and natural pain relief.
Minimises swelling. Cooling causes the blood vessels to narrow (vasoconstriction), which reduces swelling and reduces chemicals which cause inflammation.
Promotes healing and reduces scarring. Prompt cooling (ideally immediately) helps to reduce the severity of the burn, promote healing and lessen the chance of scarring.
In-house first aid training from First Aid Safety
Cooling a burn safely and quickly is the best way to reduce the severity of the injury. While the guidance in this blog outlines how to respond to a burn or scald, it’s not a replacement for structured first aid training, which gives you the skills to act quickly and confidently in an emergency situation.
The team at First Aid Safety provides a range of HSE-compliant workplace first aid courses, including:
Our regulated first aid course certificates are valid for three years and accredited by Qualifications Network UK. All training courses are delivered in-house, at your business or workplace, covering London and the UK.
To learn more about our workplace first aid courses or to book a training course, get in touch with our team today.
For additional guidance and practical insight, you may also find the following articles useful:
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