[mabberley]

Received burn on my forearm from triping and falling onto woodstove. Immediately I rinsed under warm/colder water for about 1/2 hour ,applied polysporn and covered . Regime consists of washing, letting breath for awhile , applying cream and covering. But now it is itching like you wouldn't believe. Is it just starting to heal? What do I do?

[tickle]

You did great up until the polysprin, ointment should not be put on a burn; but should be wrapped loosely with gauze. No more polysporin, itching means its healling.

[dontknownuthin]

I would see a doctor to make sure it's healing properly and make sure you aren't developing an infection. The main reason you don't want to put creams and ointments on a burn is that the heat continues to radiate from the burn and these substances trap the heat in and can make the burn worse. So, ignore grandma when she tries to put butter on your burns - terrible advice. Think about meat - we use oil and butter to brown it - it accelerates the cooking. Don't grease up burning skin or it will accelerate the cooking of your skin. This is why using tanning lotions and oils cooks your skin faster, too - people who burn will burn way faster all greased up.

The itching can just be part of the healing process but could also be related to an infection, which is why I'd see a doctor. If you are in the US, even a place like a quick clinic in a pharmacy will have a nurse who can look at it for you and prescribe someething if necessary - an oral antibiotic or whatever would be appropriate.