What immediate care should be avoided in handling burn wounds?

Applying ice directly to a burn is incorrect because it can cause further tissue damage. Ice can lower the temperature too quickly and lead to frostbite, exacerbating the injury and impeding the healing process.

In the immediate care of burn wounds, it is essential to cool the area effectively but gently, using cool (not ice-cold) water for a period generally recommended to be around 10-20 minutes. This helps to reduce the temperature of the burn and alleviate pain. Removing burnt clothing is also an appropriate action to prevent further irritation, as long as it is not stuck to the skin. Antiseptic solutions should be avoided in the initial phase of treatment as well, because they can be harsh and may irritate the damaged tissue or delay healing. The priority is to cool the burn gently and to protect the damaged area for proper healing, avoiding methods that could worsen the injury.