What should I do if I get burned by hot oil?

Written by Wang Xiang Li
Emergency Medicine
Updated on April 23, 2025
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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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What should I do if I don't have burn ointment after a burn?

After getting burned and if there is no burn ointment at hand, you should first remove the clothes around the burn, and then rinse or soak the wound in cold water for more than half an hour, and then apply vegetable oil to the wound. If there is noticeable redness, swelling, and pain, as well as blisters of various sizes, you can use a sterilized needle to puncture the blisters from the bottom, and squeeze out the blister fluid from top to bottom, but do not tear off the blister skin. Then disinfect with iodine and wrap the wound with a clean cloth, and promptly go to the hospital for further treatment. The patient should avoid spicy and irritating foods to reduce congestion and swelling at the burned area, thereby reducing local pain and itching.

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Written by Wang Xiang Li
Emergency Medicine
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How to treat steam burns

After being scalded by steam, if it is just a minor burn without blistering or broken skin, only redness and pain, you can rinse the wound under tap water immediately or soak it in cold water for more than half an hour, the longer the better, in order to reduce the continued penetration of heat and avoid damage to deeper tissues. If the skin is only reddened and there is no need for special treatment, it can subside on its own. If the burning sensation is severe, you can disinfect with iodine and then apply burn ointment to the burn area. Try not to bandage the wound to keep it breathable, which can help the wound heal faster. If bandaging is necessary, use light, sterile gauze. The wound should be kept dry, and wet clothing should be cut off after cooling to prevent further contamination of the wound. It is advisable to seek timely medical treatment at a hospital.

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Written by Li Xiao Lin
Emergency Department
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Can a burnt finger be wrapped up?

Burned fingers should not be wrapped up. A finger burn occurs when the skin and soft tissues of the finger are damaged by hot water, causing an inflammatory response, which can lead to symptoms such as redness, swelling, heat, and pain, and severe cases can cause necrosis of the skin and dermis. If wrapped up, the temperature of the burned finger cannot decrease, which might worsen the degree of the burn. Generally, after a finger burn, it is advisable to quickly soak or rinse the finger in cold or running water for at least about half an hour to lower the temperature of the finger. This can reduce the severity of the burn and thus protect the finger.

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Written by Li Xiao Lin
Emergency Department
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Why do burns on fingers blister?

After a finger is scalded, the high local temperature causes some damage underneath the skin, resulting in the skin oozing fluid. This fluid accumulates and forms blisters, so after a scald, the finger may develop a blister or several blisters. Once a blister has formed, try not to puncture it. It can be disinfected with iodine and allowed to absorb slowly on its own. Puncturing the blister might lead to infection, worsening the condition. Generally, after a finger is scalded and a blister forms, it suffices to disinfect the area. Of course, it is crucial to cool the finger quickly after the scald to minimize further damage.

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Written by Wang Xiang Li
Emergency Medicine
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Will burns from oil heal by themselves?

Whether a burn from oil will heal on its own depends on the severity of the burn. If the skin is only red on the surface after being scalded by oil, it indicates a first-degree burn. Such burns do not require special treatment and generally subside on their own. However, it is important to protect the wound area and avoid friction. If blisters form, dressing is required, as undressed, the blister skin may rupture, which could lead to an easily infected wound. Additionally, if the burn is deeper, with localized waxen or charred skin appearing after the burn, it indicates a severe burn. In such cases, it is necessary to seek hospital treatment, where skin grafting may be needed.