Treating Burns - Advice Please

[roadsweeper]

Hi

I managed to set fire to my hand briefly with a B52 cocktail a couple of days ago.

I have five indivdual burns, three of which have resulted in quite large blisters. I kept the burnt areas cool with ice on the evening of the accident then covered them plasters which I have regularly changed.

I haven't popped the blisters but one has leaked the skin has gone quite head and hurts if I touch it. I have treated it with antiseptic but I'm not really sure what to do.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Cheers.

roadie

[groomi]

It's been a few years since I last did a first aid course, but I don't think you are supposed to cover up burns as it delays the healing process...


Not sure if I'm right though, so best get a second opinion.

If it doesn't seem to be getting any better then go to A&E. The last thing you want is to get an infection.







Next!

[rsvmilly]

roadsweeper said:

I managed to set fire to my hand briefly with a B52 cocktail a couple of days ago.

I managed to do the exact same thing - again with B52s. It didn't hurt too much at the time.....

BUPA helpsheet here;

http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/html/burns.html

[mel]

iodine, it stings like buggery but does the job nice and quickly

[Podie]

mel said:

...stings like buggery...

it's always the ones you least expect...




As for the burn, sounds like you've done a good job. The nice chart in the First Aid kit here says "see Medical advice"...

[Pigeon]

Put honey on it.

[ProPlus]

Last time I burned my hand it was across a knuckle and after the initial cooling down and dressing I had to just leave it. It took a couple of weeks and in that time the skin hardens and falls off to leave brand new pink skin underneath, be warned though if the burn is across the joint its annoying as hell, cause when the skin hardens it becomes tight and cracks everytime you use the joint and hurts.

[phykell]

Agreed, use honey. Didn't I tell you this only a few days ago - seems I must be prescient

[roadsweeper]

phykell said:

Agreed, use honey. Didn't I tell you this only a few days ago - seems I must be prescient

Bugger, I neglected to mention this to my brother, who never goes on PH, since I didn't want to be ribbed relentlessly, yet here he is.

I know where you live!

[rude girl]

Lavender oil will speed up the healing process. Stinks though. Although only of lavender - it could be worse

[pdV6]

roadsweeper said:

I kept the burnt areas cool with ice on the evening of the accident then covered them plasters which I have regularly changed.

Shouldn't ice a burn - just get it under cool running water ASAP after the incident.
Best not to cover it if poss, but if its going to get dirty then a bit of burn cream & a lint-free dressing held on with a light crepe bandage should do the trick.

Worked ok when MrsV6 managed to tip a vat of boiling chili over her arm a few months ago...

[caro]

Don't know how you feel about seeking medical advice, roadsweeper - many of us prefer to self treat when possible, but your burns tick 2 of the boxes for seeking help in the link provided by rsvmilly, ie they are on the hand and they are partial thickness burns, so might be worth ringing the local surgery to see the practice nurse, if like me you hate the idea of sitting for hours in A&E over something relatively minor. Hope they're better soon.



>> Edited by caro on Thursday 9th June 10:22

[roadsweeper]

A big thanks for your help to everyone.

I have purchased a box of special burn 'plasters' - they are special dry dressings with some kind of ingredient that helps the burns to heal. They have covered the blisters but are letting them breathe.

Apparently, I did the right thing by not popping the blisters and I covered them to try and stop them getting infected.

I probably should have been to the doctor to get them checked up, but my pharmacist thought there wasn't really much I could do so I'll just keep an eye on them to make sure they don't get infected and hope the healing process does a good job.

Note to self: Don't try and carry a burning B52 - it's not a good idea.

[MilnerR]

Yep, you've done the right thing, keep them clean and dry. You can get medical attention and the burns will be well on thier way to healing in about 2 weeks, or, you can leave them and the healing process will be well on its way in about 14 days.....

[phykell]

roadsweeper said:

Note to self: Don't try and carry a burning B52 - it's not a good idea.

...and you always say it's me that can't hold my drink!