What the guidance says
Not our words: current burn-care guidance and the studies behind it, from the bodies that write it. The same sources every Burn Book guide is checked against.
From the guidance
“Cool the burn with cool or lukewarm running water for 20 minutes, as soon as possible after the injury. Never use ice, iced water, or any creams or greasy substances like butter.”
Cool the burn with running tap water for 20 minutes. Cooling remains effective for up to three hours after the injury.
A sparkler burns at more than 1,200°F (above 650°C), hot enough to cause a third-degree burn.
Even small burns to the face, hands, feet or genitals may need specialist review, regardless of size.
In 2,495 children, a full 20 minutes of cool running water meant about 40% lower odds of needing a skin graft.
Burns dressed with hydrogel healed more quickly than those treated with usual care, though high-quality evidence remains limited.
Across 43 studies, hydrogel dressings meant shorter healing times and less pain in second-degree burns.
Statements paraphrased from published guidance and research · Cards link to the sources · Always seek medical attention in case of burns
A reality check
India records around seven million burn injuries a year — one roughly every 4.5 seconds. There is no live feed of them, so we pace that figure here, in real time, as it keeps happening somewhere unseen.
Sources: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, DGHS · Sanghavi et al., 2016
This is why BurnFrost exists →We collect honest accounts from clinics, kitchens and homes. If BurnFrost was nearby when it mattered, we would love to hear about it.