How to relieve pain after a burn?

Written by Li Xiao Lin
Emergency Department
Updated on June 17, 2025
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Methods for pain relief after burns are as follows: First, rinse with running cool water until the pain subsides, then disinfect with iodine, which can also help relieve pain; Second, apply toothpaste or aloe vera on the surface of the burn to achieve anti-inflammatory, cooling, and pain-relieving effects; Third, medication treatment may involve taking pain relief pills orally, such as celecoxib, or intramuscular injections of ketorolac tromethamine or butorphanol tartrate for pain relief if necessary; Fourth, apply cold compresses. Before applying ice, wrap the burnt area with a sterile cloth to reduce the risk of frostbite and avoid worsening the condition; Fifth, consider localized blocking by injecting saline or alcohol around the painful area, which can serve a blocking function and help alleviate pain. (Note: Use medications under the guidance of a physician.)

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Written by Li Xiao Lin
Emergency Department
1min 11sec home-news-image

How long will it take for the swelling to go down after a burn?

This question is answered by the Deputy Chief Physician Li Xiaolin from the Emergency Department at Ganzhou People's Hospital, contracted through PureHealth. How long does it take for swelling to subside after a burn? The duration depends on individual constitution and the measures taken after the burn. It also greatly relates to usual diet and other factors. If the burn is mild and not very obvious, it can be resolved relatively quickly with standard treatment. However, if the burn is severe and covers a large area, and if swelling is also significant, the swelling is relatively difficult to reduce and will take a longer time to subside. Inappropriate treatment can lead to worsening of the condition and further complications. Therefore, immediate measures should be taken when a burn occurs: - Rinse with cold water for at least half an hour or until the pain subsides mainly. - Thoroughly disinfect with iodine to alleviate symptoms and slow the progression of the condition. Additionally, be cautious with your diet by avoiding spicy and stimulating foods, seafood, and inflammatory foods. For free expert consultation, please search PureHealth.

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Written by Li Xiao Lin
Emergency Department
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Can a burnt finger heal?

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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Can iodophor be used to disinfect burns?

After a burn, it is possible to disinfect with povidone-iodine. Povidone-iodine has a broad spectrum of antibacterial effects and can kill proliferating bacteria, fungi, and some viruses. After a burn occurs on the skin, the first step is to reduce the temperature of the skin, which can be done by soaking in running tap water or cold water for more than half an hour to alleviate pain. Then, disinfect with povidone-iodine. After disinfecting with povidone-iodine, apply burn moistening cream locally, and then wrap it with sterile gauze. Change the dressing once a day, and after dressing, try not to come into contact with water to prevent infection. Also, avoid friction between the wound and the gauze, as this could affect the healing of the wound. Generally, mild burns can heal in about two weeks.

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Written by Chen Xiao Jun
Emergency Department
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Why does a burn on the finger hurt so much?

After a finger is scalded, it can be extremely painful. This is related to the sensitivity of the nerve endings in the fingers. The limbs and fingers have a dense distribution of nerves, and when scalded or injured, the pain can be very pronounced, resulting in sharp and stabbing symptoms. After a finger is scalded, it is important to cool it down promptly to reduce the damage to the skin tissue. Depending on the condition, relevant medications should be used to prevent infection. Medications can also be used to reduce the symptoms of pain. If the pain is particularly severe, appropriate pain relief medication can be used (please use medications under the guidance of a doctor).

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

After being scalded by hot oil, the first step is to remove yourself from the scalding environment and immediately rinse or soak the affected area with cold water for at least 20-30 minutes to reduce temperature and pain. Afterwards, disinfect with iodophor. Scald ointments, such as safflower oil, can be applied to the affected area. For blisters formed after a scald, use a sterile needle to puncture and drain the blister fluid, then apply medication and wrap it with sterile gauze. If the scald covers a large area or is a third-degree burn, it is generally not manageable on your own and requires prompt medical attention to avoid delaying treatment. (Please follow medical advice when using medication.)