What if you accidentally touch a soldering iron?

A soldering iron tip typically runs at 300–400°C, hot enough to cause a real burn instantly on contact, so treat it the same as any other hot-metal burn. Cool the area straight away under cool (not ice-cold) running water for 10 to 20 minutes — this is the single most effective first step and matters more than anything else you do. Don't apply ice, butter, or toothpaste, all of which can make tissue damage worse.

Once cooled, cover the burn loosely with a clean, non-fluffy dressing or cling film rather than a fluffy fabric bandage, and don't burst any blister that forms. Small, superficial burns from a brief touch usually heal fine with home care; seek medical attention if the burn is larger than a couple of centimetres, blisters heavily, is on the face or hands, or if you're at all unsure — this isn't a substitute for proper medical advice.

On prevention: the iron's stand exists to stop exactly this, so get in the habit of returning the iron to its stand the instant you're not actively using it, and keep the power cable routed so it can't get dragged across your hand or lap. See how hot does a soldering iron tip get for the numbers, and should you wear gloves when soldering for wider hand safety.