Patient's question:
A 9-month-old baby's fingers were burned by charcoal, diagnosed as second-degree burns. It has been 26 days since the injury, and the palm and back of the hand have mostly healed, but the fingers are severely burned. The doctor said today that one of the fingers seems to have bone exposure, but he is not very sure. We are using a treatment plan of applying moist burn ointment and re-bandaging daily, changing the dressing once a day.Question 1: If it is indeed bone exposure, what treatment plan should be used?
Question 2: What are the better treatment options for the current condition?
Question 3: How will this burn severity affect the child's finger function in the future?
Question 4: If there is bone exposure, is the risk of anesthesia during surgery significant?
Doctor's answer:
This degree of burn may have a significant impact on the child's future finger function, especially at the joints. Moreover, since this burn has already affected the dermis and possibly even deeper layers, it is likely to leave scars. For this type of burn, regular dressing changes and the application of burn cream are usually sufficient. However, if other parts of the body are injured, there is a possibility of electrolyte imbalances, so it is essential for the doctor to closely monitor the patient.