I’ve burnt my hand and I’m not sure if it’s bad or not

[Grappala]

Excruciatingly painful, happened around 2 hrs ago.

No blisters or white skin, but it’s gone wrinkled and tight, I can’t bend my thumb or two fingers as the skin feels so tight. Very red. One finger tip feels numb

I’ve had it in cold water on and off and taken painkillers. I work in A&E (non clinical) but I’m not in until Monday.

Does anyone have any ideas if this burn sounds superficial or not?

I would go for myself personally. I do have a family member who grabbed an iron and I think it took a day or so for a huge blister to appear in the palm of their hand so I expect that over the coming days that may happen. Though having said that I'v burned myself with boiling water many times and had nothing but a bit of pain.

at least ring 111 for advice.
the structures in the fingers are very delicate, it's hard to tell how they may have been affected, if delayed and there is deeper damage, could impair function.
the risk may be slight, but why take such a risk unnecessarily.
i'd get it checked.
better to err on the side of caution.
good luck.
let us know how you get on.

If we weren't in lock down would you go?

I've been 999 and a&e twice during lock down, not for fun, but I promise you the place is empty, you will be seen quickly so you'll be home in no time, and the nurses and NHS are wanting us to be ok

This happened to me a few years ago, managed to pour boiling water all over my wrist and thumb. Looked/felt just like yours at first, next morning a nice yellow blister appeared. Then over the days it just got bigger and bigger.. until I pretty much had a small monster on my wrist (ok sorry I'll stop) but I went to the pharmacist as I had no idea what to do. Sent to A&E who recoiled slightly, bit unsure how to deal with it at first and ended up wrapping it in tons of bandage. This was to ensure that when the blister burst, it would be protected. It burst itself after a few days.

I then had to go see a nurse every week for a month for it to be redressed.
I personally wouldn't go to A and E with your injury, but if you are very worried then see your pharmacist who will advise. If not, just pop some sudocrem on and keep it wrapped. Redress after bathing, keep dry and clean (I am a student nurse now!)

That must have really hurt op, you poor thing

Ouch, that looks sore. If you work in hospital, do you have a colleague you could call for advice? Hope it's better soon.

Years ago I was filling a Hot water bottle for our new kitten. I was doing it with my husband and somehow he poured boiling water on my hand.

It really really fucking hurt but it was ok. I slept with a bag of frozen peas taped to my hand.

Def get checked out though OP if you think it needs it.

Thanks for the overnight advice, I’ve woken up to gross filled blisters in all the places where the skin went wrinkly. Fingertip still slightly numb so I’m going to text one of the consultants and ask for advice (which they won’t give over the phone and will say to come in)

Thanks for all the advice!

i think you definitely need medical attention for that.
you dont want to risk getting an infection, esp at the moment.
dont delay, go today.
good luck.

How did you get on @Grappala ?

I would want it seen given you are experiencing ongoing numbness. And I could see the blister forming in the first photo.

ouch! hopefully you went in.

some of the usual bad advice on this thread. No ointments, mucky baby bum cream etc etc; STERILE dressings and the cool water (which the OP used). And any burn palm of hand size or bigger needs urgent care or A and E, depending on which you have. Make sure you know where they are.

Hullo!

I didn’t go in in the end, it did blister and is now looking decidedly manky after I took my DIY dressing off.

At this point I don’t think there is much point in going in but is it better to leave it uncovered or cover with a plaster?

Ooooh owwwwwww. Don’t get it wet. Have you any antiseptic? It does need to dry out but you need to keen it clean and ‘protected’ from bumps.

I do this a lot - it’s a standing joke at home that I am very flammable and they even got some burn gel (it’s very good) for me in the office. I usually pop some gauze over it and loosely stick it on with tape.

For future reference - pop the burn on a bowl of cold water for a long time (as long as you can). And get burn gel.

You could ask a pharmacist about colloidal silver cream. I had it for some burns and they healed amazingly well.