What should I do if my finger is numb from a burn?

Written by Li Xiao Lin

Emergency Department

Updated on November 23, 2024

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Numbness in a finger after a burn suggests a severe injury, likely affecting below the dermis and damaging nerves, leading to abnormal sensations and numbness.

After a finger is burned, it should be immediately rinsed with cold or running water for at least thirty minutes to cool the burn down. Then, proceed to a hospital for proper care, such as disinfection, wrapping with gauze for protection, and possibly applying burn ointment to promote recovery. Follow the doctor's instructions for daily dressing changes, and take antibiotics as prescribed to prevent and treat infections.

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Written by Li Xiao Lin

Emergency Department

41sec

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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 Wang Xiang Li

Emergency Medicine

58sec

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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 Li Xiao Lin

Emergency Department

54sec

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How long should a cold compress be applied after a burn?

After a burn, cold compresses are generally applied until the pain is relieved, which helps to decrease local temperature and reduce further progression of the burn. Then, thoroughly disinfect with iodine to reduce the risk of infection. If necessary, burn ointment can be used to promote healing of the burn, providing astringent and anti-inflammatory effects, beneficial for burn recovery. Sterile gauze can also be used to cover the wound to reduce contact infections. Normally, attention should be paid to diet, avoiding spicy, stimulating foods and seafood that may cause inflammation. It is advisable to drink more water and consume more fresh vegetables and fruits. If the pain is significant, oral pain relievers can be taken to alleviate symptoms, and antibiotics may be taken if necessary to prevent infection.

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Written by Chen Xiao Jun

Emergency Department

43sec

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How to deal with a burn on the finger that has not broken the skin

After accidentally burning a finger, even if the skin isn't broken, it should be treated quickly to prevent further absorption of heat and further damage to the skin, soft tissue, and muscles. Many skin and soft tissue burns can appear after a period of time. The burned finger should be immediately rinsed with ice water or cold water, for about 20-30 minutes. If there are ice cubes available at home, they can be used to locally apply ice. This can quickly and effectively reduce the heat damage to the skin and soft tissues, improve the prognosis, shorten the course of treatment, and at the same time, attention should be paid to prevent infection.

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Written by Wang Xiang Li

Emergency Medicine

52sec

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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.