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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Aibu to ask what to put on a a scald

94 replies

Nousernameforme · 01/10/2018 15:14

Sorry blatant posting here for traffic.
I have just scalded myself with some boiling water from the kettle.
I do not need to consult a doctor or phone 111 it's a minor scald.

I just wondered if anyone had some tips on how to treat it so it stops hurting and i don't spend my evening with my wrist in cold water

OP posts:

PurpleDaisies · 01/10/2018 20:50

fake cling film is only needed to keep it clean until it’s assessed by a medical professional or you can put a sterile, non adherent dressing on it. You don’t cover burns with cling film for any other reason.

I am a first aid trained doctor.

PurpleDaisies · 01/10/2018 20:51

How is it feeling op?

Lougle · 01/10/2018 20:55

Don't submerge your hand in water, put it under running water. A bowl of water will warm up and you need the water to stay cool so that the burn cools down.

Your skin is an organ, it protects your body from infection. Burns breach that protective barrier, and provide a route for infection. So it's really important that they are cooled quickly and then protected from bacterial contamination until they heal over.

BuggerOffAndGoodDayToYou · 01/10/2018 20:57

Cool water (not iced), then more cool water...and when you think you’ve done that for long enough do it for the same amount of time again. Cling film should only be used once ALL heat has gone and only as a barrier while seeking medical assistance.

Once cool and ONLY once no heat remains then something like Savlon can be applied but is not necessary. When I had a nasty scald the urgent care centre told me to apply savlon every three hours after 12 hours had passed but to avoid using any dressings unless at risk of getting dirty....

DanceDanceDance80 · 01/10/2018 21:03

@BertrandRussell i did put a wet towel on the area but it was difficult to run under the cold tap as it was on my back! Hence why it probably took longer to heal.

GladAllOver · 01/10/2018 21:40

The important part is to get it under the tap IMMEDIATELY. Push anyone, anything out of the way. Don't hesitate.

Scaredcrow · 01/10/2018 21:58

My feet got burnt with boiling water when I was 2, my DM put butter on them four days later she took me to the gp because i had a temperature I subsequently spent two months in hospital, got gangrene and needed extensive skin and muscle grafts. The good sense of a gp at the cottage hospital to transfer me to a burns unit saved both my feet.

Cold water, clean dressing anyone claiming anything else works has never had a proper burn or they would be sporting a scar. Keep toothpaste for teeth, not spots, not burns, not cleaning your foof.

serbska · 01/10/2018 22:12

OMG butter honey and toothpaste?? Seriously no.

SmiledWithTheRisingSun · 01/10/2018 22:18

Ageee with hot water.
Also Alo Vera gel is fab I keep it in the fridge. (Not helpful I realise if you don't have any/ or a plant?)
You can put lavender oil burns to help prevent scaring.

SmiledWithTheRisingSun · 01/10/2018 22:19

https://draxe.com/home-remedies-burn-relief/

GladAllOver · 01/10/2018 22:32

@Smiled
I'd avoid any advice attached to a shop selling products that are not recommended for burns by the NHS.

specialsubject · 01/10/2018 22:38

hilarious website. 'helps' 'looks' - ie does nothing.

same as on the packets of the commercial snake oil.

C8H10N4O2 · 01/10/2018 22:40

I believe the clingfilm recommendation is if you need to cover the wound whilst transporting the person for medical care.

The advice I was given about cling film/plastic bag (whichever was more suitable at the time) was initially for transportation after the cold water. However its also used for after treatment.

I spent a joyful ten days with my hands in plastic bags trying to wrangle kids and work before I was free of the things but end result was full mobility and no scarring.

Fakeflowersandlemonade · 02/10/2018 07:33

I was taught that the cling film acts as a barrier and dosnt stick so can be used. I'm happy to be wrong though.

cricketmum84 · 02/10/2018 07:38

Well whether we should or shouldn't be using cling film I have used it every time since my auntie told me about it and it's the only thin I've found to really take the sting out of a burn.

I'm quite clumsy and very good at burning myself on the oven

BertrandRussell · 02/10/2018 07:48

Fair enough, cricket, up to you. But can you promise that if the burn is bigger than, say, a 50p piece, or is on a child, you won’t put anything but cool water on it?

cricketmum84 · 02/10/2018 07:55

@BertrandRussell haha I promise mum!! I just put it on those stingy line burns you get from touching the oven bars. If it was one of the kids I would always get it checked.

C8H10N4O2 · 02/10/2018 08:14

But can you promise that if the burn is bigger than, say, a 50p piece, or is on a child, you won’t put anything but cool water on it

The cling film/plastic bag advice isn't an old wives tale. It was advice to me from one of our major burns units and is on the NHS website.

Its effective in transit and post treatment for maintaining a clean, fairly airless environment without drying the wound too quickly (important for skin mobility apparently) or sticking to the damaged area.

It is however intended for after the cold water has reduced the temperature.

PleaseJustSayNo · 02/10/2018 09:01

In a+e we would always cover with cling film, even after assessment. It keeps it from the open air, thus reducing pain. It also helps keep it clean. Obviously it wasn't the definitive treatment, if the burn was severe enough to warrant further treatment or dressing then that was done. But cling film in the interim

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