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Original poster

Burnt hand, NHS website says A+E?!

63 replies

Broceliande · 17/02/2021 22:37

Apologies for blunt posting style as am typing with wrong hand.

2 hours ago I burnt back of three fingers on the bottom of a pan I'd put in dishwasher, not realising it had just been on the heat. Have been sat with bag of peas of since and it is excruciating when I take it off. Three blisters have come up. Have put on honey and (in a sense of cling cling) plasters. Have never burned self before so was looking on NHS website for advice and it says to go to a and e if there are blisters on hands. This seems like a huge overreaction (although it bloody hurts to extent I can't stand to take the ice off!) so just wanted to see if any nurses were reading this who can tell me why this is / reassure me my fingers won't fall off in the night!

OP posts:
Original poster
Broceliande · 17/02/2021 22:38

In absence of cling film not "in a sense of cling cling" Hmm

OP posts:
AntiHop · 17/02/2021 22:39

Could you call 111?

Inthevirtualwaitingroom · 17/02/2021 22:42

Sounds painful

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General health
gassylady · 17/02/2021 22:43

Please do do along to be checked. The advice for hamds is very cautious as they are so important functionally. Always worth getting them looked at and dressed correctly. Not a nurse but a doctor who has worked in both A&E and. a burns unit over the years!

gassylady · 17/02/2021 22:43

Oh and dont put any more honey on!

IstandwithJackieWeaver · 17/02/2021 22:46

Ring 111 for advice - cold water you can plunge your whole hand in is recommended rather than ice as the burn can penetrate deeply through the tissues and keep on burning, affecting beyond the initial burn site. If you have blisters there's a risk of infection.

fretnot · 17/02/2021 22:49

I think you should get checked out - mobility in your hand is important, and even if it’s just to prevent scarring it would be worth it, no?

I’ve looked into burns and the advice is not to use ice: as hard as it feels to be without it, you could further traumatise your skin. Try using a cool cloth instead.

All the best OP.

SoddingWeddings · 17/02/2021 22:49

Phone 111.
Switch the peas for water
Wash the honey off, keep it clean

SpinningWheelOfFortune · 17/02/2021 22:50

Yeah as others have said it would go get it checked, I'm not 100% sure but I don't think you're supposed to cover with plasters, they can stick to a burn I believe. If it's blistered you could be at risk of infection.

BikeRunSki · 17/02/2021 22:50

Hello!! I’m a first aider, and I have recently burnt myself badly.

You need to run your burg under cold running water to take rye heat out for 15-30 mins. No honey!!

If the blisters have come up cover it in a clean lanolin dressing and bandage.

If the burn is bigger than your palm, or deep, you need to go to A&E.

Original poster
Broceliande · 17/02/2021 22:51

Thanks, am not entirely sure what I was thinking with the honey tbh Blush

Do I need to go tonight? DH has just been out for painkillers; poor sod feels terrible as had used the pan about an hour after I last did which is why I hadn't realised it was so hot.

OP posts:
ShowOfHands · 17/02/2021 22:51

How big is the burned area?

Ice really is not a good idea. Cold running water for at least 20 minutes. If you take your hand out of the water and the pain is still there, continue. Also no to honey or anything else.

RedcurrantPuff · 17/02/2021 22:52

What size is the blister?

My H had a nasty burn a few years ago and they said if he had a blister bigger than a 50p or I think 5 bigger than 20ps he needed to go to A and E

ZombiePara · 17/02/2021 22:53

Photo needed to be able to recommend appropriately...

As PP said, you need to run it under cold water for a minimum of 10 minutes, to be constantly cooling and reducing the effect of the burn.

Dont use plasters, and if you manage to get hold of cling film you need tonuse it in strips to avoid constricting any swelling of the burn. To be honest if it was me and the blisters were intact I wouldn't bother covering at the moment.

If you can post a photo it would be quite helpful 👍🏻

PinkPlantCase · 17/02/2021 22:55

Can I just ask - why the honey? 😂

Run it under the cold tap rather than ice and stay there as long as you can stand. Given you did it 2 hours ago and it still feels horrendous I’d probably all 111 and you might get an out of hours appointment

Dartsplayer · 17/02/2021 22:56

I would call 111 for advice. You might need to get it checked over and a dressing put on it especially of it still hurts after you take it out of the water. Keep it clean. Every time you take it out of the water/ice you are exposing it to the air which is where you get the pain from. Definately worth seeking advice

QuothTheSlothNevermore · 17/02/2021 22:57

Another for taking it to A+E - they can assess there how badly you've burnt it, and give you appropriate treatment.

Tickly · 17/02/2021 22:58

Please don't put things on your burns. If the skin isn't split (ie is a blister only) then running cold water for 15-30 mins. Ice is no good, bowl of cold water is no good. You're trying to cool the burning so the water must be running. Call 111 and ask for advice tonight. Best to be careful.

QuothTheSlothNevermore · 17/02/2021 23:00

Also - honey can have Clostridium in (can cause some nasty diseases like botulism and tetanus). I think you were probably thinking of manuka honey dressings for wounds? But they're quite specific, and sterilised.

Original poster
Broceliande · 17/02/2021 23:01

Thanks all for advice, have removed plasters and honey and have it in a bowl of cold water. Picture attached, although blight not great - it doesn't look that bad to my untrained eye? Just really bloody hurts!

Burnt hand, NHS website says A+E?!
OP posts:
campion · 17/02/2021 23:02

Get it looked at tonight. You don't want infection setting in on top of the pain,and that's the risk.

You've done the first aid bit,though not by the textbook (!) so now it's time for stage 2 ie A&E.

JackieWeaverTheEnforcer · 17/02/2021 23:03

It's still agony after two hours because it's continuing to burn and damage your skin. Yes, I would get it seen tonight.
looking on NHS website for advice and it says to go to a and e if there are blisters on hands. This seems like a huge overreaction
Why do you think the people who wrote that information on the NHS website would be overreacting , or make shit up? Hmm Let's be honest, putting honey on it wasn't the smartest thing ever, maybe give a doctor a chance!

Purplewithred · 17/02/2021 23:05

If it’s still hurting that badly and if you have blisters on your hand the advice is go to minor injuries if you have one and a&e if not. Getting it dressed properly now will reduce any risk of infection or scarring. You don't need a finger burnt off nowadays to get it seen to and as PP said hands are very important long term.

I assume you’ve taken off any rings.

If you really cant bring yourself to see anyone then definitely run it for up to 20 mins under water as cool as you can cope with. It doesn't have to be freezing cold and again as PP have said ice may inhibit healing so get rid of the peas. Clingfilm really is best - it will help with the pain and keep it clean. Go and see a pharmacist tomorrow.

We would all love a photo.

JackieWeaverTheEnforcer · 17/02/2021 23:06

Bowl of cold water is useless, it needs to be running water, or it loses its effect. Continuous waves of cold is what it needs.

Countdowntonothing · 17/02/2021 23:07

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.