How should you treat a heat burn on a person?

The appropriate way to treat a heat burn is to cool it with running water. This method helps to reduce the temperature of the skin and underlying tissues, which can alleviate pain and minimize the extent of the burn. Running water is effective because it helps flush away heat and cool the burned area gently and continuously.

In contrast, using ice water can cause further damage to the skin and surrounding tissues because extreme cold can constrict blood vessels, potentially leading to frostbite on a fresh burn. Covering the burn with butter is an outdated practice that can cause infection and interfere with the healing process. Similarly, applying ointment immediately is not advisable, as it can trap heat in the tissue and further aggravate the burn rather than soothing it. Therefore, cooling the burn with running water is the safest and most effective method of first aid in this situation.