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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How to treat baby's burns with blisters

If the burn has just occurred, first ensure the baby is quickly removed from the heat source, and soak the affected area in running tap water or cold water for over half an hour. Alternatively, a cold towel can be used to moisten and cover the wound, which can reduce the thermal damage to the burn area and minimize the formation of weeping wounds. If the blistered area is small, a moisturizing burn ointment can be applied. If there are small blisters, they may be left untreated, but do not break them; this maintains a sterile environment and allows the blister to absorb slowly. However, if it is a large burn area, it is necessary to seek immediate medical attention at a nearby burn unit for proper dressing and treatment of the burn. Additionally, care should be taken to avoid squeezing the burned area and to prevent the wound from getting wet.

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Written by Li Xiao Lin
Emergency Department
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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
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What should I do about the dead skin from a burn on my finger?

Generally, after a finger is scalded, damage occurs to the skin's soft tissues, and some of the skin may necrotize. Once necrosis sets in, the blood supply to the affected area becomes poor. At this point, it is necessary for the body to promptly remove this dead skin. It is best to have debridement under the guidance of a physician to remove the necrotic skin and soft tissue; otherwise, these necrotic tissues can easily become infected, which in turn can cause harm to the body. Therefore, after necrosis occurs following a finger scald, it is advisable to immediately visit the emergency department of a hospital for debridement. Removing the necrotic tissue and performing proper dressing and disinfection will promote the rapid recovery and healing of the skin tissues.

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Written by Li Xiao Lin
Emergency Department
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How long will it take for a burn on the finger to ease the pain?

After a finger scald, how long it takes for the pain to alleviate depends on the severity of the burn, and the specific time cannot be confirmed. Generally, the pain caused by burns is mainly due to damage to the epidermis, which affects the peripheral nerves, leading to neuropathic pain. At the start of the burn, you can rinse with cold water for half an hour to appropriately alleviate the pain. However, this pain relief is only temporary, so you may need to take some medications to alleviate it, such as pain relievers or celecoxib, which might be effective. If the injury is deeper, affecting below the dermal layer and damaging the nerves, then there will be no pain, and there is no need to address the pain. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

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Written by Chen Xiao Jun
Emergency Department
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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.