After boiling water splashed on your arm, you should:

After boiling water splashed on your arm, you should:

• A. Rub with butter
• B. Bandage and seek help
• C. Put your hand under cool water
• D. Apply ice

Answer: (C)

Immediate cooling with cool running water is the best first aid step for a burn from boiling water. The cool water absorbs heat from the skin, lowers temperature in the tissue, reduces pain, and helps prevent deeper injury. Do this for about 10 to 20 minutes. Avoid ice, as it can cause further tissue damage, and avoid butter or other ointments, which can trap heat and increase infection risk. After cooling, protect the area with a clean, nonstick covering if available, and seek medical care if the burn is larger than the hand, involves the face, joints, or genitals, or shows signs of infection or blisters.

Immediate cooling with cool running water is the best first aid step for a burn from boiling water. The cool water absorbs heat from the skin, lowers temperature in the tissue, reduces pain, and helps prevent deeper injury. Do this for about 10 to 20 minutes. Avoid ice, as it can cause further tissue damage, and avoid butter or other ointments, which can trap heat and increase infection risk. After cooling, protect the area with a clean, nonstick covering if available, and seek medical care if the burn is larger than the hand, involves the face, joints, or genitals, or shows signs of infection or blisters.