How should you treat a burn that is red and blistered?

The appropriate treatment for a burn that is red and blistered involves cooling the burn with running water and covering it with a sterile dressing. This method serves multiple purposes. First, running cool water helps to reduce the temperature of the affected skin, alleviating pain and preventing further damage. It is crucial to cool the burn for at least 10 to 20 minutes to adequately minimize the heat in the affected area.

Using a sterile dressing afterward helps protect the burn from infection and further irritation. It also keeps the area clean while promoting an optimal healing environment. This approach is consistent with the recommended first aid practices for treating first-degree and second-degree burns, where swelling, redness, and blistering are present.

Cooling the burn with ice or applying ice directly can lead to further tissue damage and may increase pain rather than relieve it. Oily substances like butter can trap heat in the burn and make it worse, while covering the burn with a thick cloth can prevent proper ventilation and increase the risk of infection depending on the material used. Thus, using running water and a sterile dressing is both effective and safe for managing a blistered burn.