Patient's question:
A large drop of hot water burned it, and the blisters were also burst. Now there's a wound the size of a small fingernail, always wet. I washed it with disinfectant and put a bandage on it, but it's still wet. I don't know what other medicine to use. In what way...Doctor's answer:
If a burn occurs again, immediately immerse it in cold water to draw out heat and prevent it from penetrating deeper. Burns are classified into three degrees. Based on your description, it should be a superficial second-degree burn, characterized by local redness, swelling, partial epidermal detachment, and a pinkish base. If there are no infectious factors, the prognosis is good, with minimal scarring.Now, let’s discuss the treatment methods: there are two approaches—bandaging and exposure.
1. Bandaging Method: Convenient for care but longer in treatment duration, with less effective results compared to the exposure method. Specific steps:
- First, sterilize the wound using physiological saline and a 0.1% povidone-iodine solution (available at pharmacies).
- Then, mix silver sulfadiazine with physiological saline to form a paste and apply it evenly to the wound.
- Cover the wound with sterile gauze and bandage it.
- Pay attention to use sterile physiological saline to prevent infection and avoid tap water.
2. Exposure Method: Simpler to perform but requires careful nursing. Specific steps:
- The sterilization process is the same as above.
- Apply Meibao Moisturizing Burn Ointment (around 20 yuan) evenly to the affected area.
- Reapply the ointment every 4–6 hours.
- Use a sterile cotton swab to gently remove the previous layer of ointment.
- Sterilize the wound once a day.
- If the child accidentally wipes off the ointment, apply more immediately to keep the wound moist.
- It generally takes about two weeks for a superficial second-degree burn to heal completely. Be patient.
- Clinically, the exposure method is more commonly used due to its ideal results and relative simplicity, making it suitable for self-treatment.
- If the wound shows swelling or pus, it may indicate infection. In such cases, seek medical attention.
Finally, here’s a bit of common knowledge: If blisters form after a burn, try to avoid bursting them, as the blister skin can provide protective coverage for the wound. Generally, blister removal should wait until at least three days later.