Can a burnt finger heal?

Written by Li Xiao Lin
Emergency Department
Updated on September 15, 2024
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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.

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Written by Wang Xiang Li
Emergency Medicine
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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.

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Written by Wang Xiang Li
Emergency Medicine
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Why does a burn from hot oil itch?

After being scalded by oil and experiencing itchy sensations, there are several scenarios: First, after the acute phase of an oil burn, if there is no local infection, the patient may feel itching in the burned area. This sensation is caused by the proliferation and repair of new epidermal tissue, which is a normal occurrence. The patient should not worry, but it is important to remember not to scratch the area to prevent local infection and rupture of the skin tissue, which could delay the healing of the wound; The second scenario occurs when there is an infection in the burn. The patient will also feel itching in the affected area, and they should go to the hospital promptly for local debridement and disinfection; The third scenario occurs when the wound heals but leaves a scar, which can also cause itching. In this case, scar treatment medications can be applied for treatment.

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Written by Li Xiao Lin
Emergency Department
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How long will it take for a burn on the finger to heal?

How long it takes for a finger burn to improve depends on the severity of the burn, and one cannot generalize. If the burn affects only the epidermal layer, recovery or complete healing generally takes about a week. This is because skin metabolism, which takes about 5 to 7 days to renew, especially at burned areas such as on the face or fingers, can take longer to heal. Moreover, if the burn is deeper, reaching below the dermal layer, the recovery time depends on how deep the burn is. It might take 2 weeks or even up to a month for complete recovery. Therefore, the duration needed for a burn to heal depends on the severity of the burn.

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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 Wang Xiang Li
Emergency Medicine
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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.