What should be done if a burn covers more than 10% of the body surface area?

For burns that cover more than 10% of the body surface area, the best practice is to use dry sterile dressings. This approach helps in several important ways. Firstly, covering the burn with a sterile dressing protects the area from infection, which is a significant risk in burn cases due to the loss of skin integrity. Secondly, it helps to minimize further injury to the tissue and reduces pain by preventing exposure to air and contaminants.

Using dry sterile dressings allows for better management of the burn until the patient can receive advanced medical care. For larger burns, it is critical to avoid methods like immersing the patient in cool water or applying ice, as these can lead to hypothermia or worsen the burn injury. Similarly, adhesive bandages are not suitable because they may stick to the damaged tissue, complicating treatment and causing additional pain when removed.

Therefore, using dry sterile dressings is the appropriate action for managing extensive burns, ensuring that the area is covered, protected, and treated correctly until further medical assistance is available.