If you grew up hearing “Quick, put some butter on that burn!”—you’re not alone. This old-school kitchen tip is probably one of the most common pieces of first aid advice passed down through generations. But here’s the thing: it’s not just outdated, it can actually make things worse.

Let’s break down why smearing butter on a burn is a risky move, what actually happens when you do it, and what you should do instead if you want your skin to heal safely and quickly.

Why Butter on Burns Became a Thing

Before modern medicine and easy access to clinics, people made do with what they had. Food was readily available, and butter, with its creamy texture, seemed like it could cool and soothe sore skin. Grandma’s intentions were good—but unfortunately, the science doesn’t back up the advice.

You might hear similar myths about mayonnaise, toothpaste, or petroleum jelly. These ideas all come back to the notion that thickness or coolness equals relief. But when it comes to animal fat and burn wounds, the results aren’t just “not helpful”—they’re potentially harmful.

The Big Problems with Butter

1. Butter Keeps the Heat In

When you burn your skin—whether it’s from a hot stove, a sunburn, or boiling water—the top priority is to stop the burning process by removing the source of heat.

Where does butter come in? Slathering a greasy substance on your skin creates a barrier, blocking heat from escaping. Instead of cooling things down, butter acts like a blanket over the burn, locking in residual heat and letting it do more damage deep into your skin.

Result: Burns can get worse, possibly going from superficial (first-degree) to more severe (second-degree) in a matter of minutes.

2. Butter Is Full of Bacteria

Butter isn’t sterile. It’s a dairy product loaded with bacteria that are harmless for your digestive system but spell trouble for an open wound.

Once you introduce bacteria to broken skin, the risk of infection spikes. Infection in a burn wound isn’t just painful—it can cause delayed healing, fevers, or even serious medical emergencies if left untreated.

3. Butter Makes Treatment Harder

Say you finally make it to the doctor’s office after putting butter on a burn. Before a medical professional can treat you, they need to clean the greasy mess off your skin. This can be time-consuming, increase pain, and might mean more aggressive cleaning (and therefore discomfort) than if you’d kept the wound bare and clean.

Breaking Down the Myth: Why Do People Swear Butter “Worked for Them”?

A lot of folk remedies feel better simply because doing something seems better than doing nothing. Butter can provide a slick, initially cool sensation (thanks to being stored in the fridge), so you might feel better at first. But that cooling effect wears off quickly, while the risks stick around.

Simply put, “it feels good” doesn’t always equal “it’s good for you.”

What To Do for a Burn—The Right Way, According to Science

Step 1: Remove the Source of the Burn

First, get out of harm’s way. If it’s a hot object, move your hand (or whatever got burned) away as quickly as possible.

Step 2: COOL the Burn—Don’t Smother It

Hold the burned area under cool (not icy) running water for at least 10-20 minutes. Cool water helps pull heat out of the skin, reduces swelling, and provides relief.

No access to running water? You can use a cool, wet, clean cloth as a substitute.

Step 3: Leave the Butter (And Everything Like It!) in the Fridge

Don’t apply oils, mayonnaise, petroleum jelly, toothpaste, or butter! Avoid home remedies that aren’t medically backed, no matter how soothing they seem.

Step 4: Cover It—Loosely!

Once the area has cooled, gently pat it dry. Cover the burn loosely with a sterile, non-stick gauze bandage or clean cloth. Avoid anything that might stick (like cotton balls) since fibers can pull at the delicate tissue.

Step 5: Watch and Wait

Minor burns (that don’t blister, ooze, or involve the face/hands/groin/feet or major joints) can usually be treated at home. Over-the-counter pain relief (like acetaminophen) and gentle care should do the trick.

However, if you notice:

Large blisters
Severe pain or swelling
Red streaks, pus, or worsening redness (signs of infection)
Burns on the face, hands, genitals, feet, or larger than your palm

it’s time to seek professional medical attention, pronto!

Science Says: Keep It Cool and Clean

Every major health and safety organization—think American Burn Association, Mayo Clinic, Red Cross, and even the local fire department—agrees on this: cool the burn, keep it clean, and never trap heat with grease.

Burns damage the skin’s top layer, and deeper burns can impact nerves, muscle, and bone. Rapid cooling (with water only) stops the burning process; applying greasy food creates a barrier to healing and lets harmful bacteria make themselves at home.

Fast Facts: Burn Myths Busted

Toothpaste on burns? A no-go. Same bacteria, same risk as butter.
Ice or ice water? Too cold! It can cause more tissue injury. Use cool (not icy!) water.
Popping blisters? Resist the urge—you’ll only up your infection risk.
Oils and ointments? Only antibiotic ointments after cooling, and only if the burn is minor.

The Code Blue Safety Skills Approach

At Code Blue Safety Skills, we believe real-world first aid should be simple, evidence-based, and easy to remember—especially when you’re in the middle of a kitchen “oops” or backyard barbecue mishap. We bust common myths in all our classes, so next time you’re faced with a minor burn, you’ll have confidence to act quickly and safely.

Our hands-on courses let you practice real-life scenarios and get your questions answered by certified pros. Butter belongs on toast, not on wounds!

Have More First Aid Questions?

Pop over to our contact page or check out our upcoming classes to brush up on the latest, life-saving first aid practices.

Remember: when it comes to burns, skip the butter—keep it cool, clean, and covered!

First Aid Myth: Butter on Burns – Why You Shouldn’t Do It