Can you drink alcohol after a burn?

Written by Wang Xiang Li

Emergency Medicine

Updated on March 03, 2025

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After a burn, it is not advisable to drink alcohol.

This is because the burn site is in the repair phase of healing and has not fully recovered. During this period, more nutrients and a relatively normal metabolic state are required. Alcohol or alcoholic beverages contain ethanol, which can cause dilation of blood vessels and skin, as well as an increase in heart contraction. It can also lead to an increase in skin exudation, thereby worsening the condition of the burn wound, or causing infection at the wound, leading to inflammatory symptoms. The patient may experience itchiness at the burn site. Therefore, it is not advisable to drink alcohol after a burn to avoid delaying the healing process at the burnt area.

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Do you need to disinfect every day after a burn?

Whether daily disinfection is necessary after a burn depends on the condition of the burn. If it is a minor burn with only superficial reddening, it is not necessary to disinfect daily after the initial treatment on the first day. If the burn is more severe and blisters have formed, it is recommended to disinfect daily, apply burn ointment, and cover with a dressing to prevent infection. Additionally, it is advised to drink plenty of water, eat fresh vegetables and fruits, consume high-protein and nutritious foods to promote healing of the burn, and avoid spicy and irritating foods.

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Can finger burns severely affect movement?

After a finger is scalded but can still move, aside from leaving scars, it generally heals well and is not particularly serious. If the patient feels significant pain, the first step is to soak the wound in cold water. If there are blisters that are not very large, do not break them, as they can protect the wound and prevent bacterial invasion. For some larger blisters whose skins have died, they should be cleaned promptly. Normally, disinfecting with iodine can prevent infection. If the burn is severe, a burn ointment can be applied, but be careful to keep it dry with no further treatment required; it will typically take about 10 days for the blistered area to heal completely.

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How long does it take for a deep second-degree burn to heal?

Second-degree burns generally require three to four weeks to heal. The healing time for burn wounds depends on the depth of the burn. Second-degree burns include both superficial partial-thickness and deep partial-thickness burns. Superficial partial-thickness burns involve blistering of the upper dermis. The blisters are relatively full, and the base of the wound is red and moist with substantial exudation. There is significant swelling and severe pain. Under non-infected conditions, superficial partial-thickness burns generally heal within two weeks without scarring. Deep partial-thickness burns affect the deeper layer of the dermis. Blistering in this case tends to be relatively flat, and the base of the wound appears red and white, sometimes showing a net-like pattern of vessel thrombosis. These wounds have less elasticity and the pain is less intense. Deep partial-thickness burns generally take three to four weeks to heal and leave scars. Therefore, formal anti-scarring treatment is required after healing of a deep partial-thickness burn.

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How to deal with burns that have broken the skin?

After a burn that breaks the skin, you can first assess the size of the burned area. For small burns, promptly rinse with cold water for about 20 minutes, or apply a cold compress to the affected area. Then, disinfect and clean the burn site with povidone-iodine, keeping the wound exposed to promote healing. If the burn is extensive, affecting the superficial dermis and reaching shallow second-degree or higher burns, after addressing the site, sterile dressings and treatments such as antibacterial and anti-inflammatory are necessary. Therefore, after the initial simple treatment, it’s crucial to seek professional medical treatment at a hospital promptly.

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How to treat oil burns?

After being scalded by oil, it is necessary to quickly rinse the affected area with plenty of cold water or running tap water to alleviate pain, and then thoroughly disinfect it with iodophor. If blisters form after a scald, for smaller blisters, applying a moist burn cream can promote the healing of the wound. Small blisters generally can be absorbed on their own. If there are large blisters, you should first use a sterile syringe to aspirate the fluid inside the blister, while preserving the blister skin. At the same time, applying burn moistening cream to the surface can prevent infection. If the epidermis is broken, it is necessary to go to a formal hospital for treatment promptly. After a scald, it is important to eat lightly, consume more vegetables and fruits, and eat high-protein, nutritious foods to promote the healing of the wound. Do not eat spicy and irritating foods, drink plenty of water, avoid getting the wound wet to prevent infection, and change dressings according to the doctor's instructions.