Burns are caused by dry heat (for example, a fire), and scalds are caused by something wet (like hot water). You can treat burns and scalds in the same way. Step 1. Cool the burn under cold running ...

1. Cool the burn under cold running water for at least 20 minutes. Cooling the burn will reduce pain, swelling and the risk of scarring. The sooner and longer a burn is cooled with cold running water, ...