Should blisters from burns be punctured?

Written by Wang Xiang Li
Emergency Medicine
Updated on March 14, 2025
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Whether to prick a blister caused by a burn depends on the size of the blister. For smaller, dense blisters, it's generally not necessary to break them, as the fluid can be absorbed naturally. However, it's important to keep the wound clean to avoid secondary injury, and topical burn ointment can be applied. For larger blisters caused by burns, or those with high tension that interfere with daily activities or life, and are difficult to absorb, you can sterilize the area and then use a sterile needle to puncture the base of the blister to drain the fluid. Be sure to thoroughly clean out the fluid inside the blister. However, the blister skin should be kept intact to cover the skin, providing protection, reducing the risk of infection, and promoting recovery.

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Written by Li Xiao Lin
Emergency Department
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Why does a burn from oil swell?

Being scalded by oil belongs to high-temperature burns, which can cause degeneration and necrosis of skin and tissues, followed by an inflammatory reaction leading to the leakage of fluids and localized swelling. Additionally, in a high-temperature state, local blood vessels will dilate. This dilation can lead to congestion, and the increased pressure causes water to seep into the tissues, thus causing localized swelling. Therefore, after being scalded by oil, it is necessary to rinse with cold water for at least 30 minutes, or until the pain eases, to lower the local temperature, reduce pain and swelling, and alleviate symptoms. Furthermore, when necessary, disinfection and protection measures should be taken, and cold compresses can be applied to reduce swelling.

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Written by Wang Ji Zhong
Internal Medicine
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What should I do if I have an esophageal burn?

Esophageal burns are a common and frequently occurring condition caused by consuming food or for other reasons where the temperature is too high, which damages the mucous membrane of the esophagus. At that time, one should immediately stop eating to reduce harm to the body. For mild cases, one can orally take egg whites or milk to protect the injured esophageal mucosa. Severe cases need to go to the hospital for medical treatment, take gastric mucosal protectants to prevent the formation of esophageal mucosal scars, prevent esophageal stricture, and at the same time, receive intravenous fluids, enhance nutritional support, supplement necessary vitamins, and can also use some drugs that promote the recovery of the esophageal mucosa, minimizing the damage of esophageal burns to the body.

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Written by Li Xiao Lin
Emergency Department
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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 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.

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Written by Wang Xiang Li
Emergency Medicine
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Do you need to take medicine for a burn on your hand?

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.)