Question

The most appropriate first aid for a minor burn is to

• A. Apply grease or oil
• B. Break the blister
• C. Cool the burn with clean cold water
• D. Apply cotton dressing immediately

Hint:

Logic Tip: A burn means the skin is too hot. What do you do when something is too hot? You cool it down with cold water! Never trap the heat with greasy ointments.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Concept:
Basic industrial safety and first aid protocols dictate specific, immediate actions to minimize tissue damage following an accident.

Step 1: When skin is exposed to extreme heat, the tissue absorbs thermal energy. Even after the heat source is removed, the tissue continues to "cook" itself until that retained energy dissipates.

Step 2: The absolute first priority is to halt this ongoing thermal damage by rapidly drawing the heat out of the skin.

Step 3: Flowing clean, cool (not ice-cold) water over the burn relies on convective heat transfer to safely and effectively pull the heat away from the injury.

Step 4: * Applying grease/oil (A) is an old myth that acts as an insulator, trapping the heat in the skin and making the burn worse. * Breaking a blister (B) creates an open wound and guarantees infection. * Applying dry cotton (D) can cause fibers to stick to the raw burn, requiring painful removal later.