How should you treat a burn on a patient?

Cooling a burn under running water is the best method for treating burns. This approach helps to reduce the temperature of the burn area, alleviating pain and preventing further skin damage. Running water effectively lowers the skin temperature and helps to stop the burning process by drawing heat away from the affected tissues. It's important to continue this cooling for at least 10 to 20 minutes to maximize its effectiveness.

Using ice directly on the burn can cause further tissue damage and may result in frostbite, which complicates the initial injury. Covering the burn without cooling can trap heat inside the tissues, exacerbating the injury and prolonging pain. Additionally, applying butter or oil can lead to further irritation and may promote infection, as these substances do not have any beneficial effect on the healing process and can complicate proper care.