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Emily94 · Apr 1, 2010, 06:04 PM

I have what I think is a second degree burn(From what I've researched and what not). I burnt it Tuesday morning, and it still hurts pretty bad. I read that if the pain doesn't go away from a burn within 48 hours you should go see a doctor. I was wondering if this is just a waste of the doctors and my time?
Also, what are some other things I can be doing to it(cover it? Put anything on it?)

KISS · Apr 1, 2010, 06:31 PM

I'd like to see a picture. Particularly interested in
How big of an area?
Blistered with fluid or raw skin exposed?

Large with raw skin - see a doc ASAP. Since I can't see/examine I can't really make any judgement.

The skin can get infected very easily thus protection and antibiotics are sometimes necessary.

The problem with protection is it may tend to pull the skin off when removed, so you need something that won't stick.

Initially you should have cooled the wound and used plain water and make sure all of the debris is removed.

If not too serious (I cannot not be able to make that determination without seeing it. You may not be able to make that determination.

I generally use this product (2nd skin): http://www.amazon.com/2nd-Skin-Burn-...x/d/B0009Q024E

St-37 is a good liquid antiseptic for burns.

Neosporin when burns are not a large area.

Scleros · Apr 1, 2010, 06:36 PM

I slipped once while tilling the garden and ended up grabbing the tiller's muffler. I went to the emergicare facility and they just disinfected my hand, wrapped it loosely in gauze, and gave me a tetanus shot. Hand throbbed for a week or better. First couple of days was very hard to get to sleep.

hheath541 · Apr 1, 2010, 06:45 PM

How did you burn yourself? Hot metal? Steam? Fire? What caused the burn can sometimes make a difference in how it's treated and whatnot.

By second degree, I assume you mean the skin has blistered. If that's the case, then you should leave it uncovered as much as possible as long as none of the blisters have burst. Covering it can trap the heat in, making it hurt longer and take longer to heal. An ice pack, or even a cloth soaked on cool water, should draw some of the heat off.

No matter what type of burn it is, you should AVOID petroleum products. Basically, anything that stays ON the skin instead of absorbing INTO it. All that will accomplish is trapping the heat inside the burn. You want to draw the heat out so the healing process can begin.

They make products for burns. One I've found that works wonders, especially on sunburns, is solarcain. It comes in an aerosol can. It numbs and cools the area temporarily.

KISS · Apr 1, 2010, 06:56 PM

Scleros:

That's like grabbing a soldering iron from the wrong end (the power went out) only worse.

hheath541 · Apr 1, 2010, 07:12 PM

I dropped hot solder on bare skin once. I've ironed my hand more times than I can count. I've touched hot oven racks and hot pans. I've scalded myself with near boiling water. I've gotten more second degree sunburns than I can even begin to imagine, let alone count.

None of them ever received medical attention. Most blistered at least a little bit. I just kept them clean and used an ice pack when I could.

With burns, doctors don't usually do much unless there's an open wound. If you managed to burn skin off, or a significant amount of blistering has popped, then the risk of infection is greater.

If you do have blisters, then just let them be. They'll pop on their own. As long as the pus is clear, or even slightly milky, then you're fine. If it's yellow or green, then there's infection. If you don't trust it to clear up with home treatments, then you'll need to go to a doctor.

Where is the burn? Hand/arm? Face? Leg/foot?

Emily94 · Apr 1, 2010, 07:44 PM

How do I attach pictures?
And I burnt it on a straighter, I pinched my skin in between the two sides. It is not very big, but I'm just worried because I have never burnt myself before.
Hhealth, I have solarcaine in a lotion form, would this work the same?

KISS · Apr 1, 2010, 07:47 PM

Use Go advanced/Manage attachments

To resize use the free program IrfanView - Official Homepage - one of the most popular viewers worldwide

Emily94 · Apr 1, 2010, 08:16 PM

Originally Posted by ;

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After looking at the other picture it seems mine is not very serious at all, but it hurts :(

KISS · Apr 1, 2010, 08:23 PM

Solarcaine will knock the sting out of it. Lotion should be fine.

Keep it cool and moist. Burn pads ideal. Bag of frozen peas wrapped in a paper towel another good choice.

Yep, burns hurt for a while.

hheath541 · Apr 1, 2010, 10:24 PM

Originally Posted by Emily94

How do i attach pictures?
And i burnt it on a straighter, i pinched my skin in between the two sides. It is not very big, but I'm just worried because i have never burnt myself before.
hhealth, i have solarcaine in a lotion form, would this work the same?

It might. Just make sure it doesn't contain any petroleum products. I didn't know it came in a lotion form, so I can't say if it'll work or not.

hheath541 · Apr 1, 2010, 10:27 PM

Originally Posted by KeepItSimpleStupid

Solarcaine will knock the sting out of it. Lotion should be fine.

Keep it cool and moist. Burn pads ideal. Bag of frozen peas wrapped in a paper towel another good choice.

Yep, burns hurt for a while.

Sticking a bag of rice in the freezer works, too. And it has the bonus of heating up with your skin so you don't have to worry about getting frostbite if you fall asleep with it.