Q: Cool water will lower the temperature of the burned area and stop the damage from progressing. Gently run cool water over the burn for at least 10 minutes.  If the movement of water flowing over the burn is too uncomfortable, you can apply a clean, cool, wet towel. Do not put ice or very cold water on the burn. The extreme temperatures may increase the damage to your tissues. If you have jewelry or other items that may restrict blood flow if the area swells, remove it immediately.  Items that may need to be removed include rings, bracelets, necklaces, anklets, or any other item that could cut off circulation during swelling. Swelling will start immediately so remove the items as soon as possible, but do so gently to avoid further irritation to the damaged tissues. The gel from aloe plants reduces pain and inflammation. It also promotes healing and helps your body repair damaged skin. Do not apply it to an open wound.  Aloe is found in many gels and moisturizers. If you have a commercially prepared aloe vera gel, apply it according to the manufacturer’s instructions. If you have an aloe plant in your house, you can obtain the gel directly from the plant. Break off a leaf and split it open lengthwise. You will see a clear, greenish goo inside. Dab it directly onto the burn and let it absorb into the skin. If you do not have aloe, you can apply another moisturizer to prevent the burn from becoming too dry as it heals. Don’t put greasy materials like butter on the wound. If you pop blisters, this creates an open wound and makes you vulnerable to an infection. If the blisters burst on their own you should:  Wash the wound with soap and clean water. Gently dab an antibiotic cream over the area. Protect the area with a nonstick bandage. Go to the doctor if you have blisters that are larger than 1/3 of an inch in diameter, even if they have not burst. Burns can be extremely painful. You may need painkillers to help you get through the day or fall asleep at night. Over-the-counter medications like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be effective; however, they may interfere with other medications so discuss them with your doctor before taking them. Medications with aspirin should never be given to children. If your doctor says it is ok for you, you can try:  Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) Naproxen sodium (Aleve) Acetaminophen (Tylenol) Tetanus is a disease that occurs when the tetanus bacteria infect an open wound. Your doctor will likely suggest that you get a tetanus shot if:  The burn caused a deep wound or it is dirty. You haven’t had a tetanus shot in the past five years. You don’t know when your last tetanus shot was. Your skin provides you with a barrier against pathogens in the environment. A burn makes you vulnerable to infection. If you develop any of the following symptoms, go to the emergency room right away to have it checked by a doctor:  Pus or fluid seeping from the wound Swelling, redness, or pain that increases over time Fever Red streaks spreading from the burn site
A: Soothe the burn with cold water. Take off jewelry that is on the affected area. Apply aloe on the burns that are not open wounds. Don’t pop blisters. Combat pain with over-the-counter medications. Check to see if your tetanus shot is up to date. Monitor the burn for signs of infections.

Q: The first step to making an apology is to realize that you are not always right. People are often defensive and struggle to accept their faults. This mechanism is meant to protect your mind and emotions from being hurt, but it can often lead to difficulties when dealing with other people. For example, if a person tells you that your bumper sticker is offensive, you might feel the need to accuse them of being “overly sensitive” before stopping to think about why they were offended. By assuming that the other person’s opinion is as valid as your own, you open yourself up to understanding their point of view, even if you still disagree. Sometimes people do things that are just not cool. That includes you. When you do something that has a negative effect on someone else, be willing to admit fault in the situation. Constantly deferring fault to the other person can put a strain on the relationship and make it hard to move past the conflict. For example, say you were supposed to pick your friend up from work. When you left your job, you were so focused on getting home that you forgot to pick up your friend. If you say something to your friend like “You should have reminded me,” you are not accepting fault. Instead, you should acknowledge your role in the situation by saying something like “It was my fault, I completely forgot that you needed a ride.” The longer you wait to apologize, the less sincere it will seem. The person that you are apologizing to will be expecting the apology immediately. If you withhold it, it can put a strain on the relationship. Your eventual apology is likely to be mistaken for a way to alleviate that strain rather than a genuine apology. If you are out with friends and say something that embarrasses one of them, apologize immediately. Do not wait until the next time you see them to bring up the apology. If you are apologizing, you have likely hurt another person in some way. The first step to a full apology is to acknowledge this. Next, express your regret for having hurt them, and finally make an effort to amend the situation (and relationship) and ask to be forgiven. For example, if you missed several phone calls from your spouse while you were out with friends, saying “I’m sorry,” isn’t a full apology. Instead, say something like “I know that you were worried about me last night. I am sorry that I didn’t have my phone charged. From now on, I’ll take a phone charger in my car so you can reach me. Do you forgive me?”
A:
Be as humble as possible. Accept fault when necessary. Offer your apology quickly. Give a full apology.