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Original poster

advice re burns - smelling....

26 replies

PaperChain · 02/01/2008 20:20

okay so this isnt a nice subject, but I need some advice.

I got burnt on Saturday night. (A tea light holder caught alight, and when I blew it out it flared up in my face. I have second degree burns to my chin, cheek, neck, chest and left arm). My chin was the worst affected and I have had it dressed a couple of times and all has been okay.

But... I think it is starting to smell. It doesnt look any different, ie it isnt weeping any more than before, and I am sure it isnt infected, so what I wanted to know was, is it normal for burns to smell as they heal? It is red and angry and the peeling skin is yellow and charred, but it has been like that since Saturday night. Can anyone offer any wisdom? Or do I face another trip to A&E

TIA from Mrs Smelly chin aka PCx

OP posts:
auntymandy · 02/01/2008 20:53

i would go get it checked out.

lulumama · 02/01/2008 20:54

oh god, you poor thing, that must have been terrifying.. AFAIK smell is not necesarily a good thing when you are healing. i;d get checked out, is there a burns clinic or sucj like you have been referred on to for further checks and dressings that you could go to....definitely get seen as soon as you can though

haychee · 02/01/2008 20:56

An offensive smell could indicate infection. As would the redness. Any increase in pain or discharge may also indicate infection.

You dont really want to take any risks with it being on your face imo.

It might be that infection is brewing.

Original poster
PaperChain · 02/01/2008 20:57

thanks everyone, I am at the hospital tomorrow for dh so I will get it checked out.

I am so about it all

grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

OP posts:
jalopy · 02/01/2008 20:58

I pretty sure it shouldn't smell. It's worth a trip to hospital. They will be able to swab it and send it off to the lab. It should be assessed.

OverRated · 02/01/2008 20:59

This link says to get it checked if it is foul smelling.

If not, maybe it just needs air?

I'd be inclined to get it checked anyway though.

Original poster
PaperChain · 02/01/2008 21:00

I think you are all right. I have been trying to convince myself that it was okay, when really I knew I shoudl go back to hospital.

this has really dragged me down.

OP posts:
Original poster
PaperChain · 02/01/2008 21:01

thanks for that link overrated. I will go tomorrow. Cant face A&E tonight.

OP posts:
susiecutiemincepies · 02/01/2008 21:05

only read OP so apologies if repeating anything... firstly SO sorry for your injury, how bloody rotten for you, must be incredibly sore.

I'm afraid, an offensive smell is almost always a sign of infection in wounds. Especially if accompanied by any kind of excudate, redness or increased pain. You really ought to go and have the burns looked at as soon as you can. SHould just give you some oral antibiotics, but with you face, you really shouldn't delay with some more treatment.

So sorry again, please let us know how it goes. Will think of you tomorrow and hope it gets sorted fast for you. Good luck.

OverRated · 02/01/2008 21:12

I know its a pain to get it looked at - but better to be safe. I'm sorry this happened - sounds very painful

Original poster
PaperChain · 02/01/2008 21:35

SadSadSadSadSadSadSadSad

OP posts:
OverRated · 02/01/2008 23:42

Let us know how you get on, paperchain.

x

Original poster
PaperChain · 03/01/2008 09:21

Thanks OverRated, I have spoken to my doctors surgery this morning, to see if I could go there instead, but they wont see me, said I had to go back to A&E. I was hoping I could get away without another trip to A&E

I have to go the the hospital anyway today to collect some more of dh's meds, so I will 'pop' into A&E while I am there.

OP posts:
SpawnChorus · 03/01/2008 11:54

Oh poor you!! It sounds very painful and traumatic for you. Really hope you heal quickly.

Original poster
PaperChain · 03/01/2008 17:49

Okay, so I went back to A&E (oh how I love that place ) and they were very good. It isnt infected. Apparently the 'smell' is the dead skin coming off. Nice . But they checked it all out and said it was healing nicely. And it seems that 'healiing nicely' means that it will be red raw with peeling flaky bits of yellow dead skin - which can take up to six weeks to go, before it starts to hel properly. So it looks like I am in for the long haul on this one. .

BUT, the burns on my chest, whiuch were less severe, are doing okay and should not scar. Do you know, I hadnt thought about scarring until plastic surgery was mentioned today....

I want to scream right now

OP posts:
lulumama · 03/01/2008 17:50

really sorry , you must be feeling horrible. at least it is not infected, but i suspect it is cold comfort based on what is going on...hope you are feeling more comfortable soon and that you carry on healing well x

MaryAnnSingleton · 03/01/2008 17:52

no advice, but poor you hope it heals up soon

Original poster
PaperChain · 03/01/2008 17:53

thansk you two. I hope it heals soon too. I am sick of it already and it has only been 5 days

OP posts:
OverRated · 03/01/2008 18:13

Oh thank goodness - I'm so glad it is good news. I know it probably doesn't seem like it at the moment. I am very releived for you.

Are they suggesting the need for plastic surgery?

OverRated · 03/01/2008 18:15

Didn't mean to belittle the situation - just wanted to say I am glad it isn't infected and that it will heal eventually.

Must be horrible for you now though and I know 6 weeks can seem like a long time

pyjamagirl · 03/01/2008 18:18

Hope you are feeling ok

Original poster
PaperChain · 03/01/2008 18:21

I didnt think you were belittling! dont worry! No, plastic surgery was only mentioned in reference to reconstructing scars. BUT it is FAR too early to know how it is going to look when it is healed. So I am not thinking about that at all yet. (DS2 had plastic surgery when he was 18 months old - he was born with a deformed hand and had 2 of his fingers reconstructed. So I know how tough plastic surgery can be).

thanks for your concern OverRated. PCx

OP posts:
OverRated · 03/01/2008 18:39

But you also know how successful it can be? And hopefully it won't come to that. I'm just glad to hear that it is healing as it should and that there is no cause for concern at the moment. Thinking of you. x

Original poster
PaperChain · 03/01/2008 18:42

yes, thanks OR

OP posts:
LilRedWG · 03/01/2008 22:05

Ouch, poor you PC. Am glad you are on the mend and that your ahem "smell" is normal!

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