Which intervention is crucial for patients with severe burns?

For patients with severe burns, cooling the burns with running water for at least 10 minutes is a critical intervention. This method helps to reduce the temperature of the burned tissue, which can significantly diminish the depth of the burn, decrease the severity of tissue damage, and alleviate pain. Cooling the burn also helps to stop the ongoing burn process, which can occur if the heat is not alleviated promptly.

Using cool running water is preferable as it provides continuous cooling and helps to flush away any contaminants that might promote infection. This intervention is widely recognized as a best practice in the first aid management of burns and is supported by guidelines in trauma care, including those outlined in international training programs like ITLS.

In contrast, covering burns with a dry cloth, immersing burns in cold water for an extended period, or applying ointments immediately may not be effective or safe. Covering burns without cooling may retain heat and worsen the injury. Immersing in cold water indefinitely could lead to hypothermia and additional complications. Immediate application of ointments can also trap heat within the tissue, delaying effective cooling and may increase the risk of infection before proper medical evaluation.