Final answer:
In the event of a minor burn, the best first action is to run cool water over the affected area for several minutes, then cover with a sterile bandage. For more severe burns, such as second-degree burns with blistering or third-degree burns with deeper skin damage, seek medical attention immediately.
Step-by-step explanation:
The BEST thing to do FIRST in the event of a minor burn is to cool the burn. To do this, you should gently run cool (not cold) water over the burn area for several minutes. Immediate cooling of the burn site helps to reduce swelling by conducting heat away from the skin. It's important not to use ice, as this can further damage the skin tissues. After cooling the burn, covering it with a sterile, non-adhesive bandage or cloth can protect against infection and further irritation. This first aid step is pertinent for first-degree burns, like mild sunburns, which affect only the epidermis and usually heal on their own within a few days.
If a person has a second-degree burn that results in blistering or a third-degree burn, which may appear white, red, or black and affects deeper layers of skin, they should seek medical attention immediately. Third and fourth-degree burns are serious and require professional treatment because the damage is to deeper tissue, and, in the case of fourth-degree burns, to muscle and bone as well.