How effective is minor burn treatment for minor burns?

Treatment aims to stop heat from continuing to damage the skin, reduce discomfort, keep the area clean, and support new skin formation. A minor burn may be red, tender, and sometimes blistered, while deeper or larger injuries need a different level of care. A clinician checks the depth, size, site, and cause of the burn. Burns on the face, hands, feet, genitals, major joints, or around the body may need prompt assessment even when the skin area looks limited.

Move away from the heat source and cool the burn under cool running water for a sustained period. Remove jewellery or tight clothing near the area before swelling develops, but do not pull away anything stuck to the skin. Cover the burn loosely with a clean, non-fluffy dressing or material. Do not apply ice, butter, toothpaste, or adhesive dressings, and do not burst blisters. Keep the area protected and follow advice about pain relief and dressing changes.

Seek urgent care for a white, charred, leathery, numb, or deeply blistered area; a burn caused by chemicals or electricity; inhaled smoke; or injury to a sensitive body region. Get medical advice if redness spreads, pain worsens, drainage or fever develops, or the wound is not improving. Children, older adults, and people with diabetes or reduced immunity may need earlier review.

How deep does this burn appear to be? What dressing should I use, and how often should it change? Which pain relief is suitable? What signs of infection should I watch for?