What helps to treat minor burns?

Dr. Lekutat's answer:

Burns are dangerous and should always be treated by a physician -- unless they really are small and the skin is just red, but not damaged. By small, I mean that the area should be no larger than the palm of your hand. Cooling the wound is important, but make sure not to cool it too much. People used to believe that ice cubes or ice cold water worked best; today we think that water at room temperature is sufficient. After you've cooled the burn, cover it with a sterile dressing. And remember: a burn is a wound, so you may need to get a tetanus booster shot. Just to reiterate, for larger burns you need to see a doctor.