How long will it take for a burn on the finger to ease the pain?

Written by Li Xiao Lin
Emergency Department
Updated on September 08, 2024
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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.)

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Written by Li Xiao Lin
Emergency Department
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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.

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Written by Wang Xiang Li
Emergency Medicine
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Will burns from oil heal by themselves?

Whether a burn from oil will heal on its own depends on the severity of the burn. If the skin is only red on the surface after being scalded by oil, it indicates a first-degree burn. Such burns do not require special treatment and generally subside on their own. However, it is important to protect the wound area and avoid friction. If blisters form, dressing is required, as undressed, the blister skin may rupture, which could lead to an easily infected wound. Additionally, if the burn is deeper, with localized waxen or charred skin appearing after the burn, it indicates a severe burn. In such cases, it is necessary to seek hospital treatment, where skin grafting may be needed.

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Written by Wang Xiang Li
Emergency Medicine
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Can I eat lamb after a burn?

Whether a burn patient can eat mutton mainly depends on the severity of the patient's condition. It is best not to eat mutton because mutton is quite pungent and is considered a hot-natured food. Eating such food after being burned is not conducive to the recovery of the burn and can make the burn more severe, easily causing local wound infection and inflammation. Apart from mutton, spicy and stimulating foods are also not recommended, such as raw onions, raw garlic, chili peppers, Sichuan peppers, leeks, fish, shrimp, beef, and dog meat. Patients should also avoid smoking and alcohol, and it is better for them to have a bland diet, which can promote metabolism and facilitate the recovery from burns.

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Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
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Can the blisters from a burn be punctured?

Whether to rupture the blisters that appear after a burn depends on the situation. If the blisters caused by the burn are relatively small, it is not necessary to puncture them, as this is better for the skin and can provide protection. However, if the blisters that appear after the burn are large, it is advisable to rupture them, because if the blisters are too large, the fluid cannot be completely absorbed by the body, which can hinder healing.

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Written by Li Xiao Lin
Emergency Department
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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.)