What is the primary goal when treating burns?

The primary goal when treating burns is to relieve pain and prevent infection. This is vital because burns can cause significant discomfort and can lead to complications like infections if not managed properly. Relieving pain helps to minimize the distress of the injured person and can make it easier to provide further treatment.

Additionally, preventing infection is crucial as burns can break the skin barrier, making it susceptible to bacteria and other pathogens. Proper burn care includes cooling the burn to lessen further skin damage, covering it with a sterile dressing to protect it from infection, and keeping an eye on the injury for signs of infection over time, such as increased redness, swelling, or discharge.

Other options have limitations or are not recommended practices in burn treatment. For instance, removing all clothing might result in further injury if the fabric is stuck to the burn. Applying ice directly can cause additional skin damage by freezing the area, while seeking immediate surgery may not be necessary for all types of burns and isn't a first-line response for first aid treatment. Each of these practices does not primarily address both pain relief and infection prevention, which are the main focuses of initial burn treatment.