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Does anyone know anything about burns?

15 replies

onlyconnect · 24/02/2023 14:51

I touched a hot tray with my fingers for under a second earlier. It had just come out if the oven and the direct contact of the metal into my fingers burnt me instantly. I put it straight into cold water.
This was about three hours ago and the pain is still unbearable. It's ok if I keep ice or cold water on it but as soon as I take it off it's a really terrible pain.
Is there anything else I could or should do apart from taking pain killers? Can I put ibuprofen gel on it?
The area of the burn is small: on 2 fingers each about 1 cm long, 3 mm wide.
Thank you to anyone who can advise

OP posts:
MyKitchenRules · 24/02/2023 14:56

How long did u leave it under the tap. The burn even tho may seem small will affect deep tissue so often needs atleast 10 minutes in water. Other than that acriflex cream.

ApolloandDaphne · 24/02/2023 14:57

Ive done that and it does burn for a very long time. I used a damp face cloth wrapped round it which I regularly re-wet to keep it cold. It will stop burning eventually

onlyconnect · 24/02/2023 14:58

MyKitchenRules I think I did 10 minutes. It's had ice on it almost constantly for 3 hours. I've stuck it back in water now

OP posts:
onlyconnect · 24/02/2023 14:59

ApolloandDaphne thank you. That's comforting. I have been out with a tea towel with ice in it and will carry on.

OP posts:
Whiteroomjoy · 24/02/2023 15:09

Some of your pain is due to the air moving across the sensitised nerve endings where the protective epidermis of the skin has been damaged

you can eliminate this sensitisation of the nerves by covering the cooled burn (after you’ve had it under cold water tap for 10 minutes- make sure you time it). You MUST use a sterile dressing. It’s also helpful if that dressing doesn’t stick cos otherwise the pain is worse getting it off again . Gently allow burn to dry before covering though

funily enough cling film can be used for badly burnt patience in first aid when nothing else is around. It is sterile (if you pull off first bit with washed hands, then use a fresh unwound piece) and can stick around the damaged area without sticking to the burnt skin. And can be removed in hospital easily.

I tend to use this even at home- though not very helpful if you’re still trying to get tea togther after the burn AND do NOT use obviously if you are going be anywhere near heat again or chemicals.

in that situation, still cooking, I wind a bit of clean kitchen paper stacked in cold water and squeezed out, around it and stick down with some micro tape,. Sort of works although sometimes I have to repeat it a few times as trying to peal veg with damp kitchen paper wrapped around hand is hard 🤣🤣

Burns are one of the most painful injuries by most research findings - I’m just surprised you’ve never encountered this before , I burn myself at least once a year on oven shelves or iron - my wrist is a susceptible area and am sporting a oven rack rail size branding just now. 🤦‍♀️🙄

a nurse once told me that the rule of thumb is any burn bigger than a 50p coin should be looked at by the hospital …I guess these days take it to pharmacist first and ask their advice if needs hospital visit.

Ibuprofren or paracetamol are drugs to use to help with pain.

Whiteroomjoy · 24/02/2023 15:10

Oh, and don’t use ice directly in contact with burn or skin- it can damage skin . Wrap any ice in towel first

purpledalmation · 24/02/2023 15:36

Don't put ice on it as ice burns are a thing. By all means wrap ice in a thick cloth to keep it cool, but be careful. Takes ages for fingers to stop hurting as they have more nerve endings as compared to an arm. Pharmacist may be able to sell a burns dressing. I think they are hydrogels

Springintoabetterlife · 24/02/2023 15:39

Don’t put ice on a burn.

You can buy burn gel. But definitely don’t put ibuprofen gel on it!

I think you should consider going to a minor injuries unit.

custardbear · 24/02/2023 15:48

I put burns in cold water, burnt my fingers (hot black tea with no milk to cool it down) I had to sit with my hand in a jug of water for hours. Ibuprofen will help a bit too. I burnt my arm on the oven door when it closed against my arm a few weeks back, it's just going through that annoying itchy phase now 😵‍💫

OhhhhhhhhBiscuits · 24/02/2023 16:14

Burns that hurt are the better type of burn (if such a thing exists!), it's the burns that don't hurt that you have to be really careful about as it normally means full thickness and it has damaged the nerves.

Burn gel and water for a minimum of 20 minutes is usual treatment. If it has blistered then you should seek medical advice for hands.

TheOtherHotstepper · 24/02/2023 20:44

A couple of drops of neat lavender oil will see you right.

luckystarg · 24/02/2023 20:50

NEVER USE ICE ON A BURN.

it should be cool / luke warm water. Otherwise blood vessels constrict and burn gets worse.

MamaNell · 24/02/2023 20:57

Has it blistered? If so that's roughly second degree.
Does it hurt? That shows you are fine. If it doesn't hurt you have burnt away the nerves.
Keep it as cold as possible (it will sting in the shower in the morning) but it should be fine.
Don't put anything like gel/ oil/ ointment on it. Fresh air is best.

onlyconnect · 25/02/2023 13:42

Thank you everyone.
It hurt for roughly 5 hours but then the pain went.
I wrapped ice in a towel or held in water all afternoon otherwise the pain was too much.
I put bandages on in the evening and now it looks not too bad.
I have burnt myself before but never had pain that lasted this long before.

OP posts:
Wavingnotdrown1ng · 25/02/2023 16:02

I recently had a burn that required several hospital visits. Firstly, 10m isn’t enough in cold water - I had to submerge myself for well over 30m. Cover with a breathable plaster and cover with cling film/ a plastic bag when in the shower. Finally, you need to get moisture into the burn from now on. I had to use Vaseline on it for a couple of weeks until the blistering had sloughed off. It was very painful on the first day and I took Codeine but after that it was fine. I had a big scar for a few months but it’s gone now.

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