What is the correct method for managing a burn?

Cooling a burn with running water for at least 10 minutes is the correct method for managing a burn. This approach effectively lowers the skin temperature, alleviating pain and preventing further skin damage. Running water is ideal because it continuously brings fresh, cool water to the burn site, helping to dissipate heat more effectively than still water or ice.

Using ice to cool a burn can lead to additional tissue damage and frostbite, as extreme cold can constrict blood vessels and potentially worsen the injury. Covering the burn with a thick blanket may provide insulation but does not address the critical need to cool the burn or prevent shock. Squeezing the burn is not effective, as it can cause more pain and complicate the injury further without addressing heat removal. Therefore, using running water aligns with standard first aid protocols for burn management.