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Original poster

Does this really need A&E? (Burn - photo warning)

118 replies

panicattackhell · 08/05/2023 20:15

Burnt myself about an hour-90 mins ago.

Lent back against my bedroom heater, and caught my back on it, just above my hip.

It’s no bigger than my hand span - about 5-6cm diameter I think - but blistered, weepy and still pretty hot to touch.

NHS24 are saying to get it seen at A&E in case it needs dressed/treatment but I’m trying to avoid nipping over there if I can as doubtless be stuck for a very long wait.

Can I avoid A&E or should I take myself over?

Sensitive content
Does this really need A&E? (Burn - photo warning)
OP posts:
MiniEggsAllYear · 08/05/2023 20:32

I don't think I'd go to a&e with that burn, I'd keep it as cool as possible, but that's just me and you know how you feel and if you feel you should then you should.

jannier · 08/05/2023 20:32

Why ask 111 then ignore the advice and ask the netmums medics?

Original poster
panicattackhell · 08/05/2023 20:36

reesewithoutaspoon · 08/05/2023 20:30

If you feel the need to get it seen, do you have a minor injury unit. It doesn't look deep dermal mainy superficial, you will be waiting a hell of a long time in A& E for them just to put a dressing on it, its not big enough to require fluid replacement, it doesn't have any white areas indicative of deep dermal burns which require grafting. The main concern would be getting infected if not covered as you have a little skin loss in a few areas.

Please don't put any creams on it, a non stick dressing is all you need to protect it from sticking to your clothes and help reduce risk of infection.

Thank you - definitely won’t ice it or pop any creams on it! I’ve got cling film so I’ll stick that on before bed and if it’s still weeping/open in the morning I’ll ring GP at 8 and see if they can dress it. Minor injuries only open 9-5 I think, after that everyone’s just sent to A&E as far as I’m aware, but will google in case I’ve got that wrong. Thanks.

OP posts:
PinkFootstool · 08/05/2023 20:36

I wouldn't go to A&E for that, no but I would definitely want a dressing on it. Can you get to an OOH pharmacy?

I can highly recommend Burn Shield or similar - takes all the heat out of the burn, really incredible stuff.

Bluebells1970 · 08/05/2023 20:40

Did you cool it immediately after? If you didn't, you may have burned deeper into the surrounding tissue. It's not what's on top, if that makes sense, it's the thickness of a burn that causes the issues.

Emmamoo89 · 08/05/2023 20:43

You don't need A&E. Doest look angry or inflamed.

reesewithoutaspoon · 08/05/2023 20:44

It will probably weep for a few days, there are a couple of areas where you have some surface skin loss and these will weep until they heal over, but it's sensible to get your GP/practice nurse to look at it and advise a suitable dressing. If you cant get to your GP in the morning then minor injuries can do the same and the wait time is usually less. Hope you feel better soon.

HipposHaveNipples · 08/05/2023 20:51

I wouldn't go to A&E for that - I'd wait and see how it is in the morning and then try and get a doctor's appointment or go to a minor injuries unit.

MeinKraft · 08/05/2023 20:56

lemonaddde · 08/05/2023 20:27

Personally, I wouldn't go to A&E tonight for a burn that size. It doesn't look deep or very large. But I'm not an expert.

I'd probably apply some Vaseline or sudocrem and dress it with something that won't pull the skin off then made a decision in the morning.

DO NOT DO THIS sudocrem will hold the heat in, never use sudocrem for a burn.

Wouldn't go to A&E myself - you could see your GP in the morning faster than you'd see a doctor in A&E the way things are.

CabernetSauvignon · 08/05/2023 21:03

I'd suggest that you keep putting something like flannels, dishcloths or kitchen towels that have been soaked in cold water on it - you'll need to change them as they warm up. Do that as long as you can, then go for the cling film option when you want to sleep. Also take some paracetamol.

Soontobe60 · 08/05/2023 21:08

Just wack a wet paper towel on it!

YoungandHopeful · 08/05/2023 21:08

If you want advice from strangers on the internet, then I would say no. A & E would not even cross my mind and I have had similar burns from an iron.

Beseen22 · 08/05/2023 21:08

If its still hot just keep it under the cold shower as long as you can. Is pink area blanching quickly? If so if it was my blister and with the pain I would assess it to be superficial dermal thickness and cover with clingfilm over night and get in with practice nurses tomorrow to get some decent dressings. It will still take a week- fortnight to heal.

If anything changes or you are worried about it you can always pop in.

RudsyFarmer · 08/05/2023 21:10

Most people don’t want to sit in A&E for 15 hours on a bank holiday. You know that you will be constantly triaged backwards and I suspect at 5am give the whole thing up as a bad job and come home anyway. It makes much more sense to cool it. Dress it. And present yourself to your GP surgery a minor injuries walk in clinic or pharmacist tomorrow.

Justhereforaibu1 · 08/05/2023 21:13

Let us know how it is in the morning OP. Hope it's not too sore

Tulipvase · 08/05/2023 21:15

NHS states that if the burn blisters, you need medical attention.

Not the point I know, but where are you that needs a heater that hot currently?!

Looks sore, I’m not one to rush off to hospital or the GP but I’d be tempted to get that looked at.

TheChosenTwo · 08/05/2023 21:15

Personally A&E wouldn’t have even crossed my mind for that burn. It looks pretty superficial. If it were me I’d look to manage it myself and only seek help if it seemed to be getting worse. But then I’m a bit of a maverick and tend to take my health and ailments into my own hands a lot and so far I’ve been okay.
However I’m not you and if you want to go to A&E then do!

NameChange900 · 08/05/2023 21:18

Wouldn't have even considered a&e or even 111 myself. Looks painful though

custardbear · 08/05/2023 21:21

Personally I'd call the out of hours pharmacy and see if they have any dressings that can help and pop round if they do. I'd call the surgery tomorrow and see if you can get a same day appointment with the nurse if you don't go to A&E.

I had a burn on my fingers when I spilt boiling water from a cup I was carrying that broke and it went all over the backs of my fingers, that was a year ago, it blistered quite badly and still looks red now

Whatever you chose to do, good luck!

Bubbles254 · 08/05/2023 21:22

I would treat it at home as a second degree burn. Did you run cold water over it for 30 min? If not I would still try to do this and then cover it loosly with a sterile non stick bandage. See a gp if possible tomorrow for silver sulfadiazine, if it gets infected you may reqire antibiotics.

Dibbydoos · 08/05/2023 21:26

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Prescottdanni123 · 08/05/2023 21:26

A cold shower would work better than a cold bath. Running cold water is always for 20 mins. Do this if you haven't already because you could still be burning. I would go to A&E or minor injuries. Burns shouldn't be taken lightly as they are sometimes more serious than they initially appear.

grapehyacinthisactuallyblue · 08/05/2023 21:31

For that, I wouldn't. I would just cooled it down with water and deal with it. It just looks really minor burn, nothing that you need to panic about.

Boopeedoop · 08/05/2023 21:31

20 mins under tepid water is fine. Doesn't have to be ice cold.

Personally if you can, I would go to a and e. If not, go or minor injuries in the morning.

The photo isn't very clear and none of us are experts.

IronCandle · 08/05/2023 21:34

if you have vicks, put that on it. You need to get the heat out.

You can’t be serious?

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