Anyone know about burns? Pic warning...

[OhToBeASeahorse]

I burnt my arm on an oven tray a week ago today. I put a hydrocolloid plaster on it. By Thursday eve it was v itchy so I thought I should let some air to it. That was a mistake, it stung like a demon and I'd run out of plasters. Got more on friday morning and put one on. Today I noticed some yellow seeping from the plaster. I took it off in case it was infected. It smelt a little (sorry) and there was a it of discharge but it doesnt anymore. Still stings though. Any advice please?

That looks bad to me, I think you should show it to a pharmacist at the very minimum, but best try to speak to a GP, they often ask for photos nowadays then they can decide what to do next.

Definitely ask a pharmacist or your doctor.

Ow looks sore. How big is it ?

Have you kept it covered all the time?

This is from the NHS website -

Infection

Wounds can become infected if bacteria get into them. If your burn or scald has a blister that's burst, it may become infected if it's not kept clean.

Seek medical attention for any burn that causes a blister.

Your wound may be infected if:

it's uncomfortable, painful or smelly
you have a high temperature of 38C or higher
you have signs of cellulitis, a bacterial infection that causes redness and swelling of the skin
Seek immediate medical attention if you think your burn has become infected. An infection can usually be treated with antibiotics and painkilling medication, if necessary.

Make appt to see practice nurse ASAP op. Needs to be cleaned and dressed and assessed for infection.

I think it looks like it's healing OK.
Wounds can seep but that can be part of the healing process.

I agree with demented - it doesn't look red, inflamed or hot. I would try and leave it open this evening to try and get it to dry out a bit.

I assume you treated it with cool water straight away? How big was the blister?

No there were 12 hours when it wasnt covered.

Sore bit is about an inch. Another clearer photo

I'd probably stick another hydrocolloid plaster on as it looks pretty clean.

I really think it looks OK. Hydrocolloid dressings are supposed to be good for wound healing and we used them when ds kept reopening a wound on his knee

I find with burns (I burn myself a lot) it’s best to cover with gauze and tape so that the air can get to it and it is protected (usually just at night so make sure I don’t bang it) and definitely make sure it doesn’t get wet. When it’s completely covered for a long while it can go a bit gooey.

If it’s weeping and a bit whiffy then get it seem to!

Just seen pic 2 - it doesn’t look too bad actually. Is it going crusty around the edges and it it itchy?

Part of the weeping could have been from the hydrocolloid plaster as its a gel. Wet healing is supposed to cause less itching and scabbing than dry healing

Are you going to get actual medical advice rather than advice on a forums? I know it’s useful sometimes but you don’t want to mess about if there’s an infection and only a professional can properly assess that, not randoms on an Internet forum.

Thank you! Yes it's itchy. Doesnt smell now.

Would it be worth some salt water before I put another plaster on?

I’d use an antiseptic cream or spray (and gauze rather than plaster).

I recently had a massive burn on the inside of my upper arm (about 3 inch x 1) and 3 across my hip and back (each 3 x 0.5) - don’t even ask - and they healed up ok. I have very pale skin. Itchy means it’s healing so don’t scratch it!

Amazingly I only have one permanent burn scar (from childhood).

Ouch you poor thing! I've no gauze but I do have more of the hydrocolloid plasters so at least it will be kept moist...

Got some savlon, no spray unfortunately (note to self - buy a more comprehensive first aid kit)

I wouldn't be spraying anything and would just put another hydrocolloid dressing on

Great thank you for all your help! Hope the scar isnt too bad.

It looks good to me. I work somewhere where I burn myself quite a lot on hot trays and I would say that looks fine but obviously you know best as it's your arm! It usually feels itchy when it's healing as the dead skin fall as off and new skin grows.

I feel your pain op, I keep doing this on the oven too, I have one right now and the blister always comes off and is raw. I just keep it clean and watch for redness, they do tend to weep a bit.

I’ve attached a pic of my new one, plus the scar above is from the last one, have the same scar on the other arm too 🙄 I need oven gloves that go to my elbows!

I got a burn kit from boots (gel, cook pack and gauze). I haven’t had to use it yet (thankfully). I have found that an ice pack in a towel is very good for nasty ones (once you have attended to the burn).

I had a very similar burn on my outer wrist a few months ago from the oven rack. Second degree with a big blister which burst and underneath was very raw. I kept it really clean and changed the plaster daily. It wept but didn't smell. It took over 2 weeks for the skin to heal over but no issues apart from the really attractive scar I now have! Be vigilant for signs of infection and seek medical advice if you are concerned.