Why ice can make a burn worse
A fresh burn has already injured the skin and may have damaged tissue beneath it. Ice seems like a fast way to stop the heat, but placing it directly on the wound can expose that vulnerable tissue to extreme cold. The cold can constrict blood vessels and, if held there, cause additional cold injury—adding damage instead of simply cooling the burn.
That matters because the goal is to remove residual heat without hurting the skin further. Ice can also numb the area, making it harder to notice that the cold itself is causing harm.
Cool the burn without freezing it
Use cool or lukewarm running water rather than ice. Cooling the area helps draw out heat while being gentler on injured tissue; many first-aid recommendations advise running water over a burn for about 20 minutes. Remove nearby rings or other tight items early, before swelling makes them difficult to take off, but do not pull away anything stuck to the burn.
For a small burn, this simple change avoids trading one temperature injury for another. A burn that is large, deep, on the face or hands, or otherwise concerning needs prompt medical attention.
