Do you need to take medicine for a burn on your hand?

Written by Wang Xiang Li

Emergency Medicine

Updated on December 24, 2024

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Whether medication is needed after a burn depends on the individual. If a hand is burned, it should first be rinsed under running tap water or soaked for at least half an hour. If the skin is not broken, it can be disinfected with iodine and then burn ointment may be applied. If there is blistering and the skin is broken, indicating a severe burn, larger blisters should be punctured at the base with a sterile needle and the fluid can be pressed out with a cotton swab while preserving the overlying skin. Then, sterile gauze should be used daily to re-dress the wound. If the burned area is oozing and the pain is significant, oral anti-bacterial and pain relief medications can be taken. If not allergic to cephalosporins, a cephalosporin antibiotic can be taken. For pain, ibuprofen can be used. If the burn is severe, it is necessary to seek timely medical treatment. (Please follow medical advice regarding medication.)

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Written by Li Xiao Lin

Emergency Department

1min 20sec

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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 Chen Xiao Jun

Emergency Department

39sec

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Is it useful to apply toothpaste on a burnt finger?

Applying toothpaste to a burn on the finger does not effectively alleviate the condition, nor does it effectively reduce damage to the skin, soft tissues, and muscles. Instead, it is advisable to promptly rinse the burned finger with ice water or cool water repeatedly for about 20 to 30 minutes. If there are ice cubes available at home, they can be used to apply ice packs to the burned area. This can quickly and effectively lower the local skin temperature, reduce the absorption of heat, and minimize damage to the human skin, muscles, and soft tissues. If the condition worsens, it is more appropriate to timely seek medical treatment at a hospital.

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Written by Zhu Zhu

Dermatology

43sec

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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

59sec

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Do you need to bandage after a burn?

Whether bandaging is needed depends on the severity of the burn. Generally, if it's just simple redness, no bandaging is needed. After the local skin is scalded, if blisters form, it is considered a superficial second-degree burn. You can first rinse with cold water or soak in cold water for more than half an hour, or apply ice to reduce the pain. Before bandaging, clean the wound with hydrogen peroxide, then disinfect the wound surface with iodine, release the water inside the blister while keeping the blister skin, then apply burn ointment on the gauze, cover the wound surface, and then use multiple layers of dry gauze for bandaging. Generally, change the dressing every three days, and recovery can occur within two weeks, leaving no scars later. Patients should maintain a light diet, eat fresh vegetables and fruits, avoid spicy and stimulating food, and abstain from alcohol.

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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.