A&e for a scald? What will happen?

[Ouchthathurt12345]

Hi, feel like a complete idiot here. I was trying to fill up a hot water bottle and I was half asleep and my hand accidentally slipped with the weight of the kettle and the boiling water went completely down my front. It’s mostly on my tummy, front of my pelvic area and genitals, upper and lower legs and foot. It’s sort of splashed everywhere down my front. Needless to say it was agony, I put cold water from the shower on it but it’s still throbbing and I actually threw up (I think mainly just from the adrenaline and shock of it all tbh).

the nhs website says a&e for burns bigger than your hand, I’m assuming that includes scalds too? It’s difficult to work out how big it is because the water basically waterfalled down my front so it’s all quite spread out but I’m guessing it’s maybe 3/4 hand sizes if it was all put together

im going to head over to a&e to get checked, im on the way now, but just a bit worried as I’ve never had this before and have absolutely no idea what to expect. What will they do at a&e for a scald? I’ve only ever had tiny tiny burns from the oven etc which didn’t need medical treatment so this is completely unknown to me. I’m assuming it’ll be a long wait because it’s not life threatening and I don’t know if its a bit of overkill to go to a&e for a scald when I could just put burn stuff from the pharmacy on it myself at home?

honestly could burst into tears this has happened, it was absolutely agony

They will wrap it up mainly. They don't particularly like to put anything on it but will obviously check out the damage and make sure there is nothing else going on.

I scalded my hand and foot at work a few years ago. Was seen really quickly and sent on my way. Was definitely more comfortable after seeing them though.

Good luck!

When did this happen? 😳 and where are you that you need a hot water bottle??

Going to A&E sounds like the right thing to do. They’ll make sure it’s clean and dress it.
It's an accident, don’t feel like an idiot.

God bless you. You're absolutely right to go. They will dress it for you and possibly give you a tetanus. I spilt boiling sugar on my hand and that's what they did. They have proper burns dressings. I then had a follow up appointment in the burns department to check it was healing.

As someone who worked in burns, you did first aid that’s good. Yes please go to a&e.

Do not put anything on it!

Other than if there are any areas you can wrap in clingfilm.

A&e will clean and dress it and then if you need further treatment they’ll go from there. Hot water bottle burns are very common.

Ouch!! Do you have a minor injuries unit nearby? I think they can treat burns and scalds and you may be seen there more quickly.

A couple of hours ago. I’m in the UK. It was for a sore stomach from period pain!

Ah I see. Well I expect your period pains have stopped (or are no longer noticeable)!

Poor you

I scalding my foot once and I was also a bit sceptical about going to a&e. I do recommend it though as they dressed it much better than I would have done and I was given good after care advice

Oh gosh absolutely, suddenly that pain is the least of my concerns!

i would have gone to minor injuries but there aren’t any in our area unfortunately,

not too sure what’s happening, they said something about getting a specialist doctors opinion because it’s quite big and my blood pressure was really low when they triaged me but not sure how long it’ll take, they seemed quite concerned about it and I’m in a cubicle already so I’m glad I’ve come to get it checked, just anxious and its really bloody painful

I’d go to a walk in centre if you have one,
you may be seen quicker.

I had some quite sizeable burns which I got treated >24h after it happened, and they basically put some kind of cream and then a plastic wrap over them to help healing and limit the risk of infection.

It gave me peace of mind. Sorry to hear OP it’s so uncomfortable…!

Pain is good in this instance. Sorry you’re going through it op!

Glad you went A&E - that sounds like a serious burn and definitely needs attention.

Hopefully the specialist will be with you soon and you get the right treatment. 💐

Unfortunately it could be serious due to where your injury is and the extent of it.

I think it's really easy to underestimate burns - sounds like you were in shock too. Glad you've been seen.

Oh poor you - I did exactly the same back in January but it went all over my hand. So painful and also had to go to a&e due to the size of it.

Definitely the right thing to do, they were great & sorted me out. I had a check up appointment a few days after and they showed me how to change the dressing so I could get on with it myself. Pain in the arse trying to keep it dry while it healed but it did and now I just have a bit of a shadow there rather than a scar and expect that will fade in time! Good luck xx

You need treatment asap, so a and e I’m afraid.

I did this for a scald on my hand, leaving it until the morning after. I thought I was being over-cautious, but over the next day or two it turned into a huge blister that really needed treatment - if I'd left it, it would have been quite nasty.

Have you got a burns unit near by? They will assess and advise on dressings. How long did you douse yourself in cold water? It needs to be for at least 20-30 mins.

A&E is the right place to go with burns like this, & where genitals are involved.

For others who might be in a similar situation go to an A&E at a hospital with a burns unit if possible

www.nhs.uk/conditions/burns-and-scalds/treatment/

Big sympathy OP
Just coming on to stress what pp said.
You have to apply cool water to the area for ages - NHS says 20 mins and only use cool or tepid water.
And keep person warm while you're doing it .

Thanks. Honestly been the worst day, I could just cry

it’s actually bigger than I initially thought in my OP, probably more like the size of 6 or 7 hands. One of the most painful accidents ive ever had.

definitely glad I came to a&e, they said all burns involving feet/genitals/face/throat should always be checked out at the hospital. I have only ever had tiny little burns from catching my hand on the oven etc so this is totally new to me and I was in a bit of shock this morning so couldn’t tell if a&e was an overkill or justified!

Bloody hell op, what a horrible day you’ve had, I’m sorry. Glad you’re in the right place and you were seen quickly. Have they admitted you? Hope you have some support nearby. Take care, hopefully you’ll start to feel better soon.

I really feel for you, please be kind to yourself. Take it easy.

Are you home now? Sounds horrible and I feel for you.