The exception is full-thickness burns, which will appear dry from the start. It may be difficult to tell when a burn has healed because it will have a different coloration from your regular skin, but healed skin will look dry. If the blister is impeding motion, it may need to be opened up, and if it pops on its own, “it needs to be unroofed because otherwise you’re trapping bacteria,” she says. But a blister can be a natural protective barrier as a burn injury heals. “Scabs are not good because they lead to scarred wound healing,” Gibson says. If you can’t clean it on your own, you’ll need to see a professional and follow their instructions to keep the wound bacteria-free at home. That’s why we admit some patients even with smaller wounds,” she says. “The wound needs to be cleaned properly to avoid infection, and cleaning a burn injury can be incredibly painful. A simple washing with water and soap will do. “If nerves are exposed to air, it hurts a lot more,” she explains. She recommends loosely wrapping the injury with plastic cling wrap, which can keep the wound clean without sticking and can ease the pain until you can get to the clinic or hospital. But if you’re seeking professional medical care, you want to keep the wound clean and dry. While ice is a no-no, “running it under cool water is fine,” Gibson says. Severe burns may require skin grafting (transplanting skin from another part of your body).įorget the ice and reach for the plastic wrap. “A deep burn will have no sensation it will be pale, white or yellow, and it will be leathery and drier than a less severe burn, which is moist or pink,” she explains. “We’re just a phone call away,” Gibson notes.Īt the same time, no pain at all can also be a bad sign. If you’re not sure, call your doctor, who can easily reach the nearest burn center for advice. How do you know if a burn is bad enough to warrant a trip to the nearest clinic or hospital? “If the pain is out of control and you’re not able to clean it thoroughly, or if the burn is on your face/neck, hands, feet, or over a joint, you should see a doctor,” Gibson says. Gibson shares the following tips for treating burn injuries: Without proper treatment, even superficial burns can deepen, making healing more difficult. Burn injuries are classified with degrees: first-degree burns affect just the top layer of skin (epidermis), second-degree burns reach the dermis layer in the middle, and third-degree burns affect the full thickness of skin, down to the layer of fat underneath the dermis. Nearly a half million people seek treatment for burns every year, and many more deal with mild burns at home. “It makes you feel better, but the ice could lead to a deepening of the burn because it causes constriction of the blood vessels,” Gibson explains.
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