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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

To ask for burn remedies

102 replies

HerRoyalRisesAgain · 27/08/2021 18:49

As I'm extremely clumsy I've managed to burn two fingers while making tea. I ran them under cool water immediately but they still hurt almost an hour later. Is there anything I can do? Or do I just have to suck up the pain for now until they stop hurting.

OP posts:
SwimmingUnderwater · 28/08/2021 15:14

No it’s not. What rubbish. The NHS isn’t the only source of information you know.

PurpleDaisies · 28/08/2021 15:16

@SwimmingUnderwater

No it’s not. What rubbish. The NHS isn’t the only source of information you know.
Where’s your medical degree from then?
thebeatingofthedrums · 28/08/2021 15:17

@countbackfromten

As an actual doctor who has worked on a burns unit please just follow the NHS advice already posted and not the bat shit crazy nonsense that has been suggested on here by some!
This. ^ With bloody bells on!

Burns is one topic where "old wives' remedies" are not just stupid, they can be harmful!

Howaboutchocolate · 28/08/2021 15:21

@SwimmingUnderwater

No it’s not. What rubbish. The NHS isn’t the only source of information you know.
So what source are you using? Is it based on peer reviewed literature that conducted proper clinical trials?

The problem with suggesting things like lavender oil is that any oils can make burns worse. It might work for you, and some other people, but until its been through proper clinical trials then you can't know it's safe or effective for most people. That's why spouting random advice is dangerous.

The only peer reviewed articles I can find about lavender oil and burns is that inhalation/aromatherapy use of lavender oil can reduce anxiety in burns patients. Absolutely nothing about applying it topically.

SwimmingUnderwater · 28/08/2021 16:22

It’s not random advice. Do you not think people were using natural oils and remedies long long before the internet or the NHS was invented? The world didn’t start when The NHS came into being.

PurpleDaisies · 28/08/2021 16:23

@SwimmingUnderwater

It’s not random advice. Do you not think people were using natural oils and remedies long long before the internet or the NHS was invented? The world didn’t start when The NHS came into being.
Again, your medical qualifications are from where?
PurpleDaisies · 28/08/2021 16:25

There are plenty of non NHS sites telling people not to do anything so utterly stupid as putting oil on a burn.

Original poster
HerRoyalRisesAgain · 28/08/2021 16:37

Bloody hell. I know I asked for advice but I was thinking more along the lines of cold potato peelings or aloe Vera might help. I'd definitely not put oil on it, as oil plus heat is a bad idea.

I'm resisiting the urge to pop the blister thats formed. 😇

OP posts:
NotMyCat · 28/08/2021 16:40

Keep an eye on it. If you've sufficiently cooled it and it's painful you can apply cling film which will keep it clean and the air out to help the pain, keep it clean and dry and if it starts getting very painful or looking infected etc then get some advice
Especially with it being on your hand

user1471447863 · 28/08/2021 18:02

Jesus Christ there are some unbelievably stupid people here who inspite of having it explained what the correct advice is and why continue spout dangerous old wives remedies.
There are quite a few posts that mnhq should delete off here incase someone reads them and doesn't see the follow up explaining why it is dangerous and wrong.
A lot of people could do with going on a basic first aid course (or just go watch one on YouTube)

TooStressyTooMessy · 28/08/2021 18:05

Obviously it’s not up to me but I asked MN to delete the entire thread as it is so dangerous but apparently there are enough posters pointing out the NHS advice. So posts get deleted for other reasons but not for being incredibly dangerous (however well intentioned)??!!

At the very least any burns thread once reported needs a post which stays in the OP (not just buried in the thread) with a link to the NHS advice.

gamerchick · 28/08/2021 18:54

Obviously it’s not up to me but I asked MN to delete the entire thread as it is so dangerous but apparently there are enough posters pointing out the NHS advice. So posts get deleted for other reasons but not for being incredibly dangerous (however well intentioned)??!

Maybe because 'incredibly dangerous' is a huge overreaction for a burnt finger?

Loving the outrage and demands for deletion though, please carry on Grin

SwimmingUnderwater · 28/08/2021 19:30

@PurpleDaisies

There are plenty of non NHS sites telling people not to do anything so utterly stupid as putting oil on a burn.
I see so you need medical qualifications to use essential oils do you? Since when? I’m talking. About a few drops once the burn has been doused in cold water and dried gently.
SwimmingUnderwater · 28/08/2021 19:34

I’m not talking about pouring cooking oil on a burn

PurpleDaisies · 28/08/2021 20:02

Oil is oil is oil.

Putting oil on a fresh burn is against all medical advice.

SwimmingUnderwater · 28/08/2021 20:03

Are you a doctor?

Marmelace · 28/08/2021 20:03

Baking powder.

Marmelace · 28/08/2021 20:05

Please ignore my stupid advice, I didn't engage my brain before commenting unfortunately

SusieBob · 28/08/2021 20:13

As others have said water and painkillers only. If it is anything more than a minor burn seek medical advice.

No ice, no creams, no potato peel(ffs) and definitely no oil regardless of whether it smells of lavender or not.

SwimmingUnderwater · 28/08/2021 20:15

@SusieBob

As others have said water and painkillers only. If it is anything more than a minor burn seek medical advice.

No ice, no creams, no potato peel(ffs) and definitely no oil regardless of whether it smells of lavender or not.

I don’t think you understand. Essential oil is not oil that smells of lavender. It is extracted from lavender so has the antiseptic and soothing properties of lavender.
SusieBob · 28/08/2021 20:21

Yeah, I do actually know what essential oil is, thanks.

Don't put it on a fresh burn.

NotMyCat · 28/08/2021 20:22

I would happily put lavender oil on a tiny minor burn the day or so after but you have to remember NHS advice is aimed at the general public (so you're aiming the advice as if they are dim)
If they said yes lavender oil is fine then people would be slapping it on facial burns/giant burns/stuff that needs hospital or using lavender tea or thinking oh lavender bath oil/tea tree is similar, that'll do

Which is why water only is the safest advice. I took 999 calls for a decade, and not ONE person out of all the burns calls had ever thought to use water

BakedBeeeen · 28/08/2021 20:28

@bubblesr

Covering a burn with cling film isn’t just to keep it clean it also helps reduce pain as it limits the air passing over it
I can confirm this works. I burnt my finger really badly very recently. It was ok when I had it in water, but really painful as soon as I took it out. I realised that one of the reasons was because the water kept the air off. I put clingfilm round it and took a paracetamol and it was feeling better quickly. I ended up with a raised blister but it went down slowly by itself over a few days.
Coffeeonmytoffee · 28/08/2021 20:41

I dropped a bowl of scalding hot soup over my hand. I ran it under a tap for ages and ages until it stopped hurting.
You have to have it under water for quite long time.

PolkadotsAndMoonbeams · 28/08/2021 20:45

I think that was the original reason for putting oil/butter on a burn. . They believed that it was getting air on the burn that caused harm, so you needed to stop air getting to it. Obviously not a good idea, but there was logic to it.