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Li Xiao Lin
Emergency Department
About me
Graduated from Gannan Medical University, engaged in emergency clinical work for 18 years. Went to well-known domestic hospitals such as Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital for further training in emergency and critical care, with solid theoretical knowledge and rich clinical experience, especially accumulated rich clinical experience in resuscitation, poisoning, and treatment of various critical conditions. Hosted and completed two projects funded by the Science and Technology Bureau of Ganzhou City, and published 5 academic papers in recent years.
Proficient in diseases
Proficient in emergency medical rescue and treatment of critical and difficult cases, skilled in emergency and operation techniques such as tracheal intubation, arterial and venous puncture, fiberoptic bronchoscopy, cardiac defibrillation, and emergency hemoperfusion therapy.
Voices
Can a burnt finger be wrapped up?
Burned fingers should not be wrapped up. A finger burn occurs when the skin and soft tissues of the finger are damaged by hot water, causing an inflammatory response, which can lead to symptoms such as redness, swelling, heat, and pain, and severe cases can cause necrosis of the skin and dermis. If wrapped up, the temperature of the burned finger cannot decrease, which might worsen the degree of the burn. Generally, after a finger burn, it is advisable to quickly soak or rinse the finger in cold or running water for at least about half an hour to lower the temperature of the finger. This can reduce the severity of the burn and thus protect the finger.
Can a burnt finger heal?
Whether a burnt finger can heal depends on the severity of the burn; we cannot generalize. If the burn affects only the epidermis, it should heal quite well and can fully recover. However, if the burn reaches the dermis beneath the skin, healing can still occur but will take longer and may leave some complications and scarring. Scarring can restrict movement of the finger and affect its appearance. If the burn is very deep, below the dermis, and affects nerves and blood vessels, the healing capacity will be significantly reduced. Healing may be poor, affecting the function or mobility of the finger, leading to severe impairment similar to paralysis. In severe cases, amputation might be necessary.
What should I do if my finger swells up from a burn?
After a finger burn, it should immediately be rinsed with cold or running water continuously for at least half an hour to cool down the damaged skin. Then, use iodine or alcohol to disinfect the area, followed by covering it with a dressing. If swelling occurs, cold packs with ice water can be applied. Alternatively, magnesium sulfate wet compresses or more traditional remedies, such as continually applying potato slices, can help reduce the swelling. However, these methods will require some time to take effect. The main goal is to alleviate symptoms through anti-inflammatory and pain relief treatments, allowing the inflammation of the soft tissues to subside gradually and the swelling to reduce.
Can alcohol intoxication cause skin itching?
Alcohol intoxication does not cause itching. However, patients who are allergic to alcohol may experience itching, rashes, and other symptoms. Alcohol intoxication usually occurs when drinking excessively, surpassing the body's metabolic capacity and leading to intoxication. Symptoms include restlessness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and severe cases may lead to consciousness disorders. In cases of alcohol intoxication, inducing vomiting can be a method to alleviate the condition. This can be done by using a finger or a tongue depressor to stimulate the pharynx, causing vomiting to expel stomach contents and reduce alcohol absorption. It is advisable not to drink excessively, drink plenty of water, eat fresh vegetables and fruits, and it is best to abstain from alcohol for the benefit of your health.
Can digitalis poisoning cause bradycardia?
Digitalis toxicity can cause bradycardia. Digitalis is an inhibitor of the sodium-potassium ATPase, which affects the transfer of sodium and potassium in cells, leading to electrolyte disturbances and arrhythmias. Common arrhythmias include premature beats, bradycardia, and conduction blocks, and severe cases may experience sudden cardiac arrest. Therefore, in patients with heart failure, it is important to closely monitor the blood concentration of digitalis during long-term use, and adjust the dosage of digoxin and digitalis based on its concentration to avoid toxicity. Once toxicity occurs, the first step is to stop the medication and then take appropriate symptomatic treatment to prevent accidents.
How to relieve pain from a finger burn that is red
Redness and pain have occurred in the finger due to a burn, indicating that the burn is not severe and has likely affected the epidermis and its terminal nerves, causing pain. First, to alleviate the pain, the burn can be immediately rinsed with cold water or running cold water for over half an hour. If pain relief is not significantly achieved by this method, oral pain relievers such as painkillers or celecoxib may be taken for pharmacological pain management, which should provide some relief. If oral medication is also ineffective, then it would be necessary to go to the hospital for muscle injection of pain-relief drugs. (Medication should be taken according to medical advice.)
How long will it take for a burn on the finger to ease the pain?
After a finger scald, how long it takes for the pain to alleviate depends on the severity of the burn, and the specific time cannot be confirmed. Generally, the pain caused by burns is mainly due to damage to the epidermis, which affects the peripheral nerves, leading to neuropathic pain. At the start of the burn, you can rinse with cold water for half an hour to appropriately alleviate the pain. However, this pain relief is only temporary, so you may need to take some medications to alleviate it, such as pain relievers or celecoxib, which might be effective. If the injury is deeper, affecting below the dermal layer and damaging the nerves, then there will be no pain, and there is no need to address the pain. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a professional doctor.)
What will happen if a burn on the finger is not treated?
The treatment of burns depends on the severity of the burn and cannot be generalized. For minor burns, such as when a finger is slightly red, indicating a mild burn, simply rinsing with water is adequate, and no special treatment is necessary. However, if the burn is more severe and has reached the dermis, it requires prompt attention. First, the area should be thoroughly rinsed with cold water for at least half an hour to quickly cool the area and alleviate the worsening of the condition. Additionally, it is crucial to seek further treatment at a hospital, where disinfection, bandaging, and possibly other examinations will be performed. If the burn is severe, treatments such as intravenous fluids and anti-infection measures may be necessary.
What should I do if my finger gets burned and starts oozing pus?
Finger burns have developed a pus discharge, indicating a severe infection at the burn site. Once an infection occurs, in addition to disinfection, oral antibiotics should be administered for anti-infection treatment. Disinfection may need to be carried out once or twice daily. The disinfection process involves washing with saline solution, then further sterilization and disinfection with hydrogen peroxide. After rinsing with saline, re-disinfect with iodophor, and then cover with gauze and dressing. Gentamicin can be applied on top of the gauze to promote healing and improvement of the infection. If oral medications are ineffective, intravenous antibiotic infusion may be necessary for anti-infection treatment. (Medication use should be supervised by a professional doctor.)
What should I do if I have itchy skin due to a seafood allergy?
Seafood allergies can cause symptoms such as itchy skin and rash. You can take oral antihistamines, such as cetirizine or loratadine, to alleviate the symptoms. If the itching is severe, you can have intravenous treatments with dexamethasone, a large amount of vitamin C, and calcium gluconate, among other antiallergic treatments, to ease the symptoms. It is also advisable to drink plenty of water and eat fresh vegetables and fruits to supplement vitamins, which can be beneficial for recovery. Avoid spicy, stimulating foods and yeast-containing products, and be cautious with your diet to avoid allergenic foods. If necessary, go to the hospital to identify the specific allergens to clearly understand what you are allergic to, which will help in avoiding allergic reactions in the future. If the itching is severe and accompanied by obvious rashes, topical calamine lotion can be applied to the affected area for its anti-inflammatory, itch-relief, and astringent properties, promoting recovery. If the condition is severe, further medical examinations and treatments in a hospital are essential to prevent a serious condition from developing. (Use of medication should be under the guidance of a physician)