Is my burn infected?

[lotusbell]

Apologies, I wouldn't usually ask on a forum but at 40, I'm woefully inexperienced at first aid! I burnt my arm on the oven shelf on Sunday, cursed a bit, ran it briefly under a cold tap then carried on serving tea, as women tend to do. The next day, it had formed a neat brownish mark but was quite flat so didnt think it had blistered. Im working from home so have just left it uncovered but careful to keep it clean. Yesterday, I accidentally rubbed it and the thin soft layer came off, leaving a pale pink 'raw' bit underneath. It started to sting but I put a bit if Savlon on and it's been ok. Just had a shower and noticed it's a bit yellowy and the skin round it is pink and slight raised. It's not particularly sore. Do I leave it uncovered or shall I put cream on and a plaster/dressing? Do i need to be keeping an eye on the raised red area in case it spreads?

I think it's oozed where the skin came off, so is fine for now.
Keep an eye on it for looking red and angry and see a pharmacist if it does.

@mineofuselessinformation, thanks, I thought it was perhaps just oozing (great term) and fresh skin. Will see how it is in the morning and see my pharmacist tomorrow if it's got worse.

I've burnt myself on the oven many times over the years. This looks exactly like those and perfectly fine.

If.yIf.get more concerned let a pharmacist look at it....but it looks fine to an untrained (but experienced) eye.

No

Thanks, I'll keep an eye on it!

I am no expert, but it doesn't look infected to me. I think you need to keep an eye on the red/pink around the edges and watch whether that area grows. Also infected skin can stink.

Crikey I’ve done it loads of times, healed looking like that no problem they are sore though.

Thank you!

Looks OK. Keep it clean.

Signs of infection - for example oozing, increasing area of redness or swelling, pain, temperature

If burns get infected there is normally some pus, usually around the edges, look for a nasty yellow scab-like substance. If the infection is bad there will be lots of pus and it will smell sweet and rotting, but that’s quite serious. Clean it with antiseptic, maybe a plaster for one day, then let it dry out and keep it clean.

It doesn't look infected but wounds that are a bit 'raw' like you say can easily become infected as bacteria can get in.
Are you able to buy a hydrocolloid type dressing from the pharmacist? They are dressings that stay on for around 7 days and when removed the wound has totally healed - and bacteria cannot get in.

I've burnt myself on the oven many times over the years. This looks exactly like those and perfectly fine.

If.yIf.get more concerned let a pharmacist look at it....but it looks fine to an untrained (but experienced) eye.

It looks like its healing nicely. It may tend to itch as the skin heals. Try nof to touch it though.

Just keep an eye of any redness spreading. Skin infections do not alaats lead.

Not as red or swollen this morning and scabbing over. Can anyone suggest something for when it heals, I tend to scar quite easily. I'm.thinking bio oil

I got one of those on my CHEEK several years ago!!!!
My dear Domestic Science teacher [showing my age now!] used to tell us to 'listen' to a sponge cake to work out if it was cooked. If you could hear it bubbling, it needed longer.
I used this method for many years until without really thinking, I accidentally gently touched the cake tin to my face!!! I had a silly burn for several weeks which took some explaining...

Yours doesn't look infected in my opinion. Hope it heals soon, OP.

@redwoodmazza, that made me wince! Can you still see the mark?

Acriflex is good til the burn totally heals. Then bio oil can get rid of the scar but some scarstake longer to heal than others.

I do this all the time and they all look like yours does and heal up. I put aloe Vera on mine sometimes to help soothe it other than that I leave alone.

Hi OP - luckily didn't leave a scar... !
I've been more careful since. LOL.

Doesn’t look infected. You want to avoid scabbing (that’s what tends to cause scarring) so keep it covered. Hydrocolloid dressings are great for burns as they’re soft, flexible and waterproof and only need changing every few days.

(Practice nurse who deals with lots of burns!)

Thanks everyone for continued replies! It's looking a lot better, I will look at getting some of the special dressings, if it's not too late. I think it's healing ok though.