How should you treat a burn?

Running cool water over a burn for at least 10 minutes is the recommended treatment because it helps to reduce the temperature of the burn area, alleviating pain and minimizing tissue damage. The cool water effectively cools the skin and underlying tissues, which can help prevent further injury and promote healing. This method is safe and can be done easily with readily available resources, making it an effective first aid measure.

In contrast, using ice can cause additional damage to the skin and underlying tissues due to the extreme cold. Covering the burn with butter is not advisable, as it can trap heat and increase the risk of infection. Applying a tight bandage may cause more harm than good because it can restrict blood flow and trap heat in the area, worsening the injury. Thus, running cool water is the most beneficial approach for treating burns effectively.