Do you need to disinfect every day after a burn?

Written by Li Xiao Lin

Emergency Department

Updated on March 29, 2025

00:00

00:00

Whether daily disinfection is necessary after a burn depends on the condition of the burn. If it is a minor burn with only superficial reddening, it is not necessary to disinfect daily after the initial treatment on the first day. If the burn is more severe and blisters have formed, it is recommended to disinfect daily, apply burn ointment, and cover with a dressing to prevent infection. Additionally, it is advised to drink plenty of water, eat fresh vegetables and fruits, consume high-protein and nutritious foods to promote healing of the burn, and avoid spicy and irritating foods.

Other Voices

home-news-image

Written by Li Xiao Lin

Emergency Department

1min 7sec

home-news-image

Why did the burnt finger turn black?

Finger burns that turn black indicate a relatively severe burn, likely second-degree or worse. It is crucial to immediately rinse the burn with cold water or running cold water for at least 30 minutes to lower the temperature and alleviate pain symptoms. After initial treatment, seek further medical assistance at a hospital for procedures like disinfection, burn ointment application, or wrapping with gauze for protective treatment. If the pain is significant, oral painkillers such as acetaminophen or celecoxib can be taken for pain relief. If oral painkillers are ineffective, pain relief medication may be administered via muscle injection. Antibiotics may also be needed to prevent infection. Additionally, it is advised to receive a tetanus antitoxin injection as a preventative treatment against tetanus. Under a doctor's supervision, dressings should be frequently or daily changed to promote healing of the burn. Drink plenty of water, consume more vegetables and fruits, and avoid spicy foods to facilitate the recovery of the injured finger.

home-news-image

Written by Li Xiao Lin

Emergency Department

1min 20sec

home-news-image

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.

home-news-image

Written by Li Xiao Lin

Emergency Department

46sec

home-news-image

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.

home-news-image

Written by Chen Xiao Jun

Emergency Department

43sec

home-news-image

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.

home-news-image

Written by Li Xiao Lin

Emergency Department

1min 7sec

home-news-image

What should I do if it itches unbearably after a burn?

After experiencing significant itching following a burn, the first consideration should be whether there is an infection or an allergic reaction. Observe the condition of the wound, thoroughly disinfect it with iodine to prevent infection, then apply mupirocin ointment or erythromycin ointment to the surface to treat the infection. Wrap with sterile gauze, and if necessary, apply ice packs to help relieve itching. Then take oral antibiotics, such as cefuroxime axetil capsules or levofloxacin capsules, for infection treatment, and take cetirizine or loratadine orally to manage allergies and alleviate symptoms. Additionally, maintain good hygiene, try to avoid exposure to air and raw water to prevent infections, and pay attention to diet. Avoid spicy and irritating foods, drink plenty of water, eat fresh vegetables and fruits to supplement vitamins, and consume high-protein, nutritious food to help improve the condition. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a physician.)