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Original poster

Burn help please!

30 replies

Borrasca · 12/12/2021 21:43

Evening all,

I burnt myself about 4 hours ago on a baking tray that I picked up before realising it was resting on a lit burner on the hob. I've been sitting with it in iced water ever since but it starts to hurt as soon as I take it out. It's my thumb and first finger affected.

Usually I'd just wrap it in gauze with antiseptic but I am really struggling. Is it worth medical attention or shall I just continue to keep it cool?

Thanks in advance.

OP posts:
Original poster
Borrasca · 12/12/2021 21:44

The tea towel is clean, just the light makes it look grubby, promise!!

OP posts:
tumtitum · 12/12/2021 21:45

Ouch that looks nasty!!! I'm no expert at burns (once put ice on one- ouch!) but I have read that running water is better than sitting with it in water as it takes the heat away?

Original poster
Borrasca · 12/12/2021 21:49

Thanks @tumtitum - I did that for a while and then started to worry about the water bill Grin. I'm swirling it with my fingers which helps. I just want to go to bed but I'm stuck to the sink!

OP posts:
fruitypancake · 12/12/2021 21:52

Ouch .. poor you that looks v sore. Definitely take some paracetamol or ibuprofen x

Howshouldibehave · 12/12/2021 21:53

Put it under running water for ten minutes at least.

gamerchick · 12/12/2021 21:54

Wrap it up in cling film and a plaster for the minute to get the air off it. It'll stop hurting as much.

FingersofFish · 12/12/2021 21:54

Ouch! I've done a very similar thing and it really stung for a few days. I'm not medical but I'd be tempted to wrap it in some way to stop the air getting to it to help stop the pain. Not sure water will still be helping at this point? I have taken DC to hospital for a burn that instantly blistered which needed several repeat visits, I prob wouldn't for this but only you will be able to judge quite how bad it is. 111 when I called based their advice purely on size of the burn rather than the appearance. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable can help!

HalloHello · 12/12/2021 22:02

NHS advise A&E for burns on the hand that cause blisters so might be worth going to minor injuries if you have one near by! Also you should have run in under lukewarm to cool water for 20 mins, ice is too harsh. I know it's too late now but just wanted to advise you.

Cover the burn in the mean time with cling film then gauze to keep it clean. Don't pop the blisters or put anything else on it.

Knockoneofftheshelftowin · 12/12/2021 22:03

Aloe Vera, it's marvelous for burns.

BergamotMouse · 12/12/2021 22:03

I recently discovered the sheer relief clingfilm can bring when burnt. Once it's wrapped up the pain goes.

Original poster
Borrasca · 12/12/2021 22:11

Thanks all, I did run in cool water for about half an hour initially but then switched to a bowl of water with a few ice cubes to keep it cool.

Just tried cling film and ended up putting my hand back in water because it got too sore. Perhaps I'm not doing it right - I did it loosely with no antiseptic cream - should I do it tighter and/or add savlon?

OP posts:
Original poster
Borrasca · 12/12/2021 22:13

@HalloHello

NHS advise A&E for burns on the hand that cause blisters so might be worth going to minor injuries if you have one near by! Also you should have run in under lukewarm to cool water for 20 mins, ice is too harsh. I know it's too late now but just wanted to advise you.

Cover the burn in the mean time with cling film then gauze to keep it clean. Don't pop the blisters or put anything else on it.

Thanks @HalloHello - I've got an NHS 111 nurse calling me. No walk in centres, just A&E and don't want to go in if I don't have to - worried I'll be wasting their time and I'll have to leave my water
OP posts:
Original poster
Borrasca · 12/12/2021 22:15

@Knockoneofftheshelftowin

Aloe Vera, it's marvelous for burns.
Wishing I hadn't efficiently organised the bathroom cupboard and thrown my aloe away a few months ago now!!
OP posts:
parietal · 12/12/2021 22:25

have you taken any painkillers? If an ibuprofen or paracetemol helps you through the next few hours, it should be much better in the morning.

Original poster
Borrasca · 12/12/2021 22:29

@parietal

have you taken any painkillers? If an ibuprofen or paracetemol helps you through the next few hours, it should be much better in the morning.
Just took some, and re wrapped my hand and used some wound spray - fingers crossed (or not in my case).
OP posts:
NoSquirrels · 12/12/2021 22:35

Ouch! You’ve done all the right things, hopefully the painkillers will kick in shortly.

We always have a tube of Acriflex in the kitchen drawer as a veteran of many an oven burn…

Original poster
Borrasca · 12/12/2021 22:44

@NoSquirrels

Ouch! You’ve done all the right things, hopefully the painkillers will kick in shortly.

We always have a tube of Acriflex in the kitchen drawer as a veteran of many an oven burn…

I will send DH after he's done the school run tomorrow to get some. I've burned myself so many times too, this is the worst one that I can remember though, so probably worth getting some asap. Thanks!
OP posts:
cultkid · 12/12/2021 22:47

Hydrocolloid gel and some co codamol

It's horrible I know xx

itssarcasmjoan · 12/12/2021 23:13

We now have some great burns gel, plasters and other bits in the house.

mocktail · 12/12/2021 23:19

I'd follow the NHS advice, which on the whole you have done. No iced water though it says, and no cream. I hope you hear back from 111 soon.

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

I hope

Mykittensaremyfriends · 12/12/2021 23:20

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

Useful advice here - a trip to A&E is necessary for burns leaving white skin which I think yours are

Original poster
Borrasca · 12/12/2021 23:38

Spoke to a lovely nurse who called me back from 111. She said it sounds like either 2nd or 3rd degree burn but I've finally managed to get slightly comfortable with clingfilm and a padded bandage wrapped around plus naproxen and paracetamol (she told me to take both) and cradling an ice pack in my hand with the bandage keeping it away from the skin which she said was fine. She said A&E wait is around 7 hours currently here, so happy for me to wait until tomorrow and go see pharmacist for advice, or A&E if I'm still in a lot of pain.

I just feel so daft! Thanks all for the advice, looks like I'm stocking up on burn cream for future!

OP posts:
Giggorata · 12/12/2021 23:49

That sounds like a more severe burn for what I was going to say, which is mustard helps (mild) burns, believe it or not.

NeverDropYourMoonCup · 13/12/2021 00:09

Why are people STILL shouting shit about putting things on burns?

Newmum738 · 13/12/2021 07:53

Lavender oil! Amazing for burns. And then Vaseline if it's really bad. Get the moisture back into it.

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