How should thermal and radiation burns be treated initially?

Cooling thermal and radiation burns is essential for minimizing tissue damage and alleviating pain. The correct approach involves using clean, cool running water or saline to cool the burn area within the first few minutes of the injury—specifically for 1-2 minutes. This helps to reduce inflammation, stops the burning process, and helps prevent further skin damage.

Cooling the burn effectively reduces the temperature of the tissue, which is crucial because tissue continues to sustain damage as long as it remains overheated. Therefore, initiating treatment swiftly and effectively lowers the risk of complications.

Applying a cold pack, while it might seem beneficial, doesn't provide the same level of immediate heat dissipation as running water, and it can lead to ice burns if applied directly to the skin for too long. Additionally, using ice to numb the area can cause further injury to the skin and delayed healing. Covering a burn with a sterile dressing is important, but it should be done after cooling the area to prevent trapping heat and exacerbating the damage. Thus, the primary initial action should always include cooling the burn effectively within an appropriate time frame.