DS burnt his arm on an iron just over a week ago. The burn is on the top of his lower arm (iyswim), it’s about 5cm x 3cm of which 3cm x 2cm blistered. He held it under a cold tap for 25mins and then we went to minor injuries. They assessed it, dressed it and told us to come back two days later. On the next visit they removed the blister and redressed it. Then they directed us to see our GP practise nurse a few days later. The nurse checked and redressed it, gave me some spare dressings and said we don’t need to go back unless we have concerns. They said he should keep it ‘mostly dry’ until the skin has healed.
So here we are and I checked and redressed it today, it’s looking good and clean and the skin is looking better, I would describe it as beginning to heal. So my question: the original nurse said that as it starts to heal we should use E45 on the skin. When should we start that? Is it once the wound has healed - so no more blood/weeping? The adhesive dressing wouldn’t stick to the skin if I used E45 so I assume it’s not til after we stop using dressings - though I could go back to bandages if necesssry.
DS has very sensitive skin and is prone to skin infections, now that the burn appears to be starting to heal my concern moves to his surrounding skin, it’s starting to look very dry and I’m concerned about how to look after it given that his usual skin routine of a nightly shower with emollient and use of heavy moisturiser isn’t compatible with the burned area or dressing. Any advice?
I will of course seek further medical help if I’m worried about anything…