Burns and Scalds First Aid: Why 20 Minutes of Cooling Matters

Burns and Scalds First Aid: Why 20 Minutes of Cooling Matters

When a child suffers a burn or scald, those first few minutes can feel frightening and chaotic.

As a former foster carer and paramedic with more than 35 years’ experience in emergency care, I know how quickly an everyday accident can happen. A hot drink pulled from a table, a saucepan on the cooker, bath water that is too hot, hair straighteners or an oven door can all cause a painful burn in seconds.

The most important first aid message I want parents, carers and grandparents to remember is simple:

Cool the burn under cool running water for 20 minutes

Not two or three minutes.

Not just until the pain begins to ease.

A full 20 minutes of cooling can make an important difference.

Cooling helps reduce pain, swelling and ongoing heat damage to the tissues. The sooner effective cooling is started, the better.

What should you do if someone suffers a burn or scald?

If a child or adult suffers a burn, take the following first aid steps.

1. Cool the burn for 20 minutes

Place the affected area under cool running water for at least 20 minutes.

Do not use ice or freezing water.

One phrase we regularly use during our first aid training at Sussex First Aid Courses is:

Cool the burn, not the patient

While the injured area needs effective cooling, we do not want the whole person to become cold.

This is particularly important with babies, young children, older people and anyone with a larger burn.

Keep the rest of the casualty warm and dry while cooling the injured area. This helps reduce the risk of hypothermia.

2. Remove jewellery and loose clothing

If possible, remove jewellery, watches or loose clothing from around the injured area before swelling develops.

However, never pull away clothing or other material that has become stuck to the skin.

3. Cover the burn

Once the burn has been cooled, it can be loosely covered with cling film.

Lay the cling film gently over the burn, do not wrap it tightly around a limb.

4. Know when to seek medical help

Some burns need professional medical assessment.

Seek medical advice for serious, large or deep burns, or burns involving areas such as the face, hands, feet, joints or genital area.

Electrical and chemical burns also require medical attention.

If you are unsure, contact NHS 111 for advice. In a serious or life-threatening emergency, call 999.

What should you not put on a burn?

Over the years I have heard many home remedies suggested for burns.

Butter, cooking oil, toothpaste and creams should not be applied to a fresh burn.

They do not provide the prolonged cooling that damaged tissue needs and can make later assessment and treatment more difficult.

Ice should also not be placed directly onto the skin.

The best initial treatment remains wonderfully simple:

Cool running water for 20 minutes

And remember:

Cool the burn — not the patient

Burns and scalds in children

Young children are particularly vulnerable to scald injuries.

Hot drinks are one of the everyday risks that parents and carers should be aware of. Toddlers can often reach much further than we expect, and a cup of freshly made tea or coffee can cause a significant injury.

Keeping hot drinks, pans, kettles and other sources of heat well out of children's reach is important.

However, even in the most careful household, accidents can still happen.

That is why knowing basic first aid is so valuable.

First aid gives you confidence when it matters

You do not need to be a paramedic, nurse or doctor to provide good first aid.

Often, making a difference comes down to remembering a few simple actions and having the confidence to carry them out properly.

When it comes to burns and scalds, remember these two messages:

• Cool the burn under cool running water for 20 minutes.

  
  

• Cool the burn, not the patient.

  
  

At Sussex First Aid Courses, we believe parents, grandparents, carers and anyone responsible for children should have the confidence to know what to do when an emergency happens.

We learn first aid hoping that we will never have to use it. But when someone you care about suddenly needs your help, having that knowledge can turn panic into purposeful action.

About the author

Garry Perkins is a former foster carer and paramedic with more than 35 years’ experience in emergency care. Founder and Director of Sussex First Aid Courses Ltd, providing practical first aid training across Sussex and the surrounding areas.

Sussex First Aid Courses Ltd First aid training for individuals, families, carers and organisations across Sussex, Surrey and Kent.