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Scald
Should blisters from burns be punctured?
Whether to prick a blister caused by a burn depends on the size of the blister. For smaller, dense blisters, it's generally not necessary to break them, as the fluid can be absorbed naturally. However, it's important to keep the wound clean to avoid secondary injury, and topical burn ointment can be applied. For larger blisters caused by burns, or those with high tension that interfere with daily activities or life, and are difficult to absorb, you can sterilize the area and then use a sterile needle to puncture the base of the blister to drain the fluid. Be sure to thoroughly clean out the fluid inside the blister. However, the blister skin should be kept intact to cover the skin, providing protection, reducing the risk of infection, and promoting recovery.
What should I do if it swells after being scalded by boiling water?
After a scalding injury with boiling water that causes swelling, it is essential to first soak the affected area in running tap water or cold water for at least half an hour to reduce the skin temperature. If the burn is severe, not only showing swelling but also skin rupture, one should apply some ointment and then wrap it with gauze to keep the dressing clean and prevent infection, which can promote healing of the wound surface and reduce swelling more quickly. After a scald, the permeability of capillaries in the tissues notably increases, causing fluid from the vessels to seep into the interstitial space or outside the body, leading to tissue edema. It is beneficial to elevate the affected limb to increase the blood flow returning to the circulation, thereby alleviating the severity of the swelling. If the burn is severe enough to require surgery, skin grafting or flap surgery might be necessary.
Can soy sauce be used for burns?
After a burn, do not apply soy sauce because it contains a high amount of salt, which can aggravate the severity of the burn. Additionally, soy sauce may not be clean and could possibly contaminate the wound with bacteria, leading to infection. However, consuming soy sauce does not significantly affect the healing of burns. The correct practice is to immediately soak the burned area with running tap water or cold water for about half an hour, then observe if there are any blisters or similar conditions. You can apply some burn moisturizing cream for further treatment. Generally, the wound should be treated with exposure therapy, and in severe cases of burns, skin grafting or flap surgery might be considered.
Are second-degree burns serious?
Second-degree burns are serious and are classified into superficial and deep second-degree burns. Superficial second-degree burns manifest as local redness, swelling, pain, and blister formation. Deep second-degree burns primarily affect the dermis, resulting in tissue necrosis and nerve damage, which are indicated by local pain and abnormal sensations. For both superficial and deep second-degree burns, it is necessary to immediately rinse the affected area with running cold water for at least half an hour, or until the pain eases. Afterward, it is essential to go to a hospital for thorough disinfection with iodophor to prevent infection. For deep second-degree burns, debridement is also necessary, and skin grafting may be required to facilitate tissue recovery. However, certain sequelae may remain, so it is crucial to follow the doctor's instructions to change dressings regularly. Additionally, attention should be paid to diet; avoid spicy, stimulating, and fermenting foods. Drinking more water and consuming fresh vegetables and fruits to supplement vitamins, as well as high-protein and high-nutrient foods, are beneficial for recovery.
Can you drink alcohol after a burn?
After a burn, it is not advisable to drink alcohol. This is because the burn site is in the repair phase of healing and has not fully recovered. During this period, more nutrients and a relatively normal metabolic state are required. Alcohol or alcoholic beverages contain ethanol, which can cause dilation of blood vessels and skin, as well as an increase in heart contraction. It can also lead to an increase in skin exudation, thereby worsening the condition of the burn wound, or causing infection at the wound, leading to inflammatory symptoms. The patient may experience itchiness at the burn site. Therefore, it is not advisable to drink alcohol after a burn to avoid delaying the healing process at the burnt area.
How to remove burn scars
Scars from burns, if relatively fresh, can be treated with scar removal creams such as silicone gel dressings. It is necessary to consistently use these creams for about three months, and using them in conjunction with scar patches can enhance the effects. During the use of scar creams, the diet should also be light, avoiding spicy and irritating foods, and consuming more fresh vegetables and fruits that are rich in Vitamin C, and foods high in vitamins. At the same time, avoid intense exercise and scratching the affected area to prevent worsening of the scar hyperplasia. For older burn scars, fractional laser treatment can be considered. Depending on the degree of scar elevation, typically three to five treatments are needed. (Use medication under the guidance of a doctor)
What should I do if it keeps burning after a scald?
After a burn, if there is persistent burning pain, you can first rinse with running cold water until the pain eases. Then apply toothpaste, aloe, or camphor oil on the surface of the burn to cool and relieve pain, alleviating symptoms. If necessary, cover the burned area with a sterile gauze and then apply ice. This can help relieve pain. If needed, pain relief medication such as painkillers or celecoxib can be taken orally. If the pain is severe, you can also go to the hospital for an intramuscular injection of dexamethasone or butorphanol to relieve symptoms. Also, pay attention to diet; avoid spicy, stimulating foods and foods that cause inflammation. Drink plenty of water and eat fresh vegetables and fruits. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a physician.)
How to deal with a skin scald that has broken the skin?
After a skin burn breaks the skin, if the area is relatively small and there is no obvious swelling, a moisturizing burn ointment can be applied. If the area is larger and accompanied by some exudation and swelling, it is necessary to go to the hospital for timely treatment. Under the guidance of a doctor, antibiotic ointment should be applied, and oral antibiotics should be taken. Common choices include Cefalexin, Cefradine dispersible tablets, and erythromycin for anti-infection treatment. Antibiotics can be used if there is no allergic reaction to them. If severe burn symptoms occur, combined with serious infections, swelling, and significant exudation, it is crucial to go to the hospital for medical treatment immediately. Severe cases may require hospitalization. Do not scratch the skin yourself, and avoid spicy and irritating food.
How long does it take for a deep second-degree burn to heal?
Second-degree burns generally require three to four weeks to heal. The healing time for burn wounds depends on the depth of the burn. Second-degree burns include both superficial partial-thickness and deep partial-thickness burns. Superficial partial-thickness burns involve blistering of the upper dermis. The blisters are relatively full, and the base of the wound is red and moist with substantial exudation. There is significant swelling and severe pain. Under non-infected conditions, superficial partial-thickness burns generally heal within two weeks without scarring. Deep partial-thickness burns affect the deeper layer of the dermis. Blistering in this case tends to be relatively flat, and the base of the wound appears red and white, sometimes showing a net-like pattern of vessel thrombosis. These wounds have less elasticity and the pain is less intense. Deep partial-thickness burns generally take three to four weeks to heal and leave scars. Therefore, formal anti-scarring treatment is required after healing of a deep partial-thickness burn.
What should I do if it itches after a burn?
Itchy after scalding may be a mild itching sensation that appears during the wound healing process. This situation does not require deliberate treatment. With timely medication and dressing changes, the itchy feeling can gradually subside as the skin at the wound site heals. However, if redness and mild suppuration occur at the wound site, this indicates an allergic infection. In such cases, it is recommended to clean and disinfect with iodophor, followed by the external application of antibacterial medication and dressing, which can help treat the infection and promote healing at the site. If necessary, oral cephalosporin medications can be taken for combined treatment, which is more conducive to promoting healing. Additionally, during the recovery period, it is important to keep the wound dry and sanitary, avoid contact with water, and not consume spicy and irritating foods, to avoid affecting the healing of the wound.