Can finger burns severely affect movement?

Written by Wang Xiang Li
Emergency Medicine
Updated on December 30, 2024
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After a finger is scalded but can still move, aside from leaving scars, it generally heals well and is not particularly serious.

If the patient feels significant pain, the first step is to soak the wound in cold water. If there are blisters that are not very large, do not break them, as they can protect the wound and prevent bacterial invasion.

For some larger blisters whose skins have died, they should be cleaned promptly. Normally, disinfecting with iodine can prevent infection. If the burn is severe, a burn ointment can be applied, but be careful to keep it dry with no further treatment required; it will typically take about 10 days for the blistered area to heal completely.

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Written by Wang Xiang Li
Emergency Medicine
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What should I do if I get burned by hot oil?

After being scalded by hot oil, first, you should quickly move away from the hot oil. If oil splashes onto your clothes, carefully remove the oil-soaked clothing, including pants, shoes, and socks. Rinse the affected area with running water for more than half an hour to reduce the burning sensation and pain. If the scald manifests as local redness or small blisters, you can apply burn ointment to the surface. Try not to break the blisters or the epidermis to avoid bacterial infection. If blisters have already formed, under strict sterilization, you can use a sterilized needle to drain the blister fluid and then cover the wound with gauze to protect it from water. If the blisters are relatively large, it is advisable to go to the hospital burn department for examination, treatment, and care.

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Written by Wang Xiang Li
Emergency Medicine
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How to treat a burn from hot oil

After being scalded by hot oil, quickly wipe off the hot oil with a clean cloth and rinse the affected area with plenty of cold water or running tap water for more than half an hour, or until the pain eases. Then disinfect with iodine. If blisters occur after the burn and they are small and few, apply a moisturizing burn ointment locally to promote healing at the burn site. Generally, small blisters can absorb on their own. For larger blisters, use a sterile syringe to puncture the blister at its base and squeeze out the fluid, but keep the blister skin intact to maintain a sterile environment on the wound surface, and apply a burn moisturizing cream. If the epidermis is broken, seek treatment at a regular hospital. After a burn, it is advised to eat fresh vegetables and fruits to promote wound healing, avoid spicy and irritating foods, and keep the wound dry to prevent infection.

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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 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.)

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Written by Li Xiao Lin
Emergency Department
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Scalding that causes the skin to peel off is classified as a second-degree burn.

Burns that result in skin peeling must be examined case by case, as it is impossible to generalize. The classification depends on the size of the burn and the severity of the injury. If the burn only results in peeling skin, indicating damage to the epidermis, it is considered a superficial second-degree burn. If the damage extends below the dermis, it is considered a deep second-degree burn. If there is damage to deeper tissues, it could potentially be a third-degree burn. Furthermore, if the area of skin peeling due to the burn is extensive, it may be considered deep second-degree or more severe. Therefore, immediate actions should be taken following a burn, such as rinsing with cold water for at least 30 minutes or until the pain subsides. Then, thoroughly disinfect the area with iodine to prevent infection. Applying burn ointment on the surface may help in the recovery of the burn. If necessary, cover it with a sterile gauze to prevent contact infections that could lead to skin infection. Attention should also be paid to diet; drink plenty of water, eat fresh vegetables and fruits, consume high-protein and high-nutrient foods, supplement with vitamins, and avoid spicy and stimulating foods.

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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.