Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

How to stop burn scab from cracking?

24 replies

nappyaddict · 07/01/2011 03:08

I burnt my arm last week with a curling wand. It started off very red, then over a few days the skin went really dry, then crinkly and now it's scabbed. I think this is normal?

However the skin feels quite sore still especially if someone touches it and when I wear my work shirt because the edge of the sleeve is just in the place that rubs the scab. It rubbed it the other day and knocked a bit of scab off so a tiny bit was weeping but nothing major. Is there anything I can put on it to relive the soreness?

Secondly it feels really dry and sort of taut under the scab and just generally uncomfortable. Shall I just put some normal moisturiser on it or what about something like olive oil or is there something better?

OP posts:
Original poster
nappyaddict · 07/01/2011 03:13

Have also heard lavender, aloe vera and egg white are good for burns but I'm not sure at what stage its OK to start using these. I know when it's a new burn you shouldn't.

OP posts:
kayah · 07/01/2011 03:34

It may be useful to caaall nurse at your gppractice.
she would be able to show you what to do

Original poster
nappyaddict · 07/01/2011 03:35

Has anyone heard of using Thuja cream. Apparently it was originally used for horses but it's good for human skin conditions like warts, verrucas, chicken pox, molluscum, psoriasis, eczema, burns, scars and stretch marks. I have pots of sudocrem and vaseline which both say they can be used on burns as well, but again I know they shouldn't be used on new burns.

OP posts:
Original poster
nappyaddict · 07/01/2011 03:37

Can you put normal plasters on burns? I thought if I put cream on then I need to put a plaster on top to stop the cream from rubbing off. I know you can get burns plasters but I haven't got any left.

OP posts:
kayah · 07/01/2011 03:46

have you got any gauze?
use it and secure with strips of plaster

try without any cream first

MrsSnaplegs · 07/01/2011 05:19

Best natural remedy would be aloe Vera gel either bought from chemist or direct from plant if you have one - just break off a leaf, slice it open and use gel direct from inside.

OhYouBadBadKitten · 07/01/2011 08:02

don't start putting lotions and potions on it! Go and see the practice nurse who can advise.

Original poster
nappyaddict · 07/01/2011 14:02

Can't get in at the doctors til next week :( It seems to have dried even more now and when I woke up a tiny bit had cracked and looked like it might have been bleeding.

OP posts:
aristocat · 07/01/2011 14:28

i have had one similar to this on my wrist and i used a tiny amount of vaseline.

OhYouBadBadKitten · 07/01/2011 14:54

ok, when my burn was nearly healed I was told to use a plain moisturiser at least daily like e45. Also the keep it lightly covered with a non stick covering (you can get a gel like net, forget what its called) then a light dressing over the top.
(Wasn't going to tell you this, but with the burden on the nhs at the moment, might be worth diy-ing)

Original poster
nappyaddict · 07/01/2011 14:55

Thank you so much!

OP posts:
solo · 07/01/2011 15:02

If it was me, I'd apply MELROSE to it. You can buy it from small chemists and it should cost under £3. I swear by it and use it for anything sore. I went to bed the night before last with an extremely sore nose (couldn't bear to blow it), plastered Melrose over it and by morning it was pinchable, let alone touchable/blowable. Works on sore and dry lips, cracked toes, scabby knees ~ everything. I go nowhere without it.

Original poster
nappyaddict · 07/01/2011 15:09

Do Boots sell it? Do I have to get it OTC?

OP posts:
solo · 07/01/2011 20:09

I've never seen it in boots, but definitly the smaller pharmacists and yes, OTC.

Effjay · 07/01/2011 20:13

I burnt my hand on the cooker about 2 months ago and the scab kept on getting knocked off. I ended up putting Germolene 'new skin' on it and it worked a treat. I tend to use this for small cracks on my skin, which I tend to get in winter.

Effjay · 07/01/2011 20:14

Forgot to say, that if it has scabbed over, it'll stop it cracking open.

Original poster
nappyaddict · 07/01/2011 21:02

Ah I'm sure I've seen that in Boots if I can't get the Melrose.

OP posts:
solo · 07/01/2011 21:04

Google Melrose NA, it's been around for a very long time; it was originally made as a healing balm for the poor. It's fantastic.

Catsmamma · 07/01/2011 21:06

I use lavender gel...got a tube in Boots may years ago, it's great stuff.

cobbledtogether · 07/01/2011 21:06

E45 and gelonet - although gelonet would have been better before the scab.

If you can get to the doc, they will probably give you some diprobase.

Sidge · 07/01/2011 21:18

Scabs are Not Good.

Keep the burnt area as soft as possible - you can apply Vaseline liberally to soften it. If the skin is intact you don't need to cover it with a plaster, and it's better to leave it bare so you can apply Vaseline to it every couple of hours.

Keep the skin soft, clean and dry and it should heal nicely with minimal scarring.

aristocat · 10/01/2011 18:43

nappyadd how is it now?

Original poster
nappyaddict · 11/01/2011 11:59

The bottom has healed quite well scab has fallen off and is a very pale pink colour. The top half DS accidentally knocked the scab off and that is a darker pink colour with a few bits of scabbing left.

OP posts:
pinkstarlight · 11/01/2011 13:23

aloe vera gel is wonderful for burns

New posts on this thread. Refresh page