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Wang Xiang Li
Emergency Medicine
About me
Associate Chief Physician, Chaoyang Central Hospital in Liaoning Province, Emergency Department.
Proficient in diseases
Diagnosis, rescue, and treatment of common critically ill patients in the emergency department.
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Will burns from oil heal by themselves?
Whether a burn from oil will heal on its own depends on the severity of the burn. If the skin is only red on the surface after being scalded by oil, it indicates a first-degree burn. Such burns do not require special treatment and generally subside on their own. However, it is important to protect the wound area and avoid friction. If blisters form, dressing is required, as undressed, the blister skin may rupture, which could lead to an easily infected wound. Additionally, if the burn is deeper, with localized waxen or charred skin appearing after the burn, it indicates a severe burn. In such cases, it is necessary to seek hospital treatment, where skin grafting may be needed.
Should blisters from burns be punctured?
Whether to prick a blister caused by a burn depends on the size of the blister. For smaller, dense blisters, it's generally not necessary to break them, as the fluid can be absorbed naturally. However, it's important to keep the wound clean to avoid secondary injury, and topical burn ointment can be applied. For larger blisters caused by burns, or those with high tension that interfere with daily activities or life, and are difficult to absorb, you can sterilize the area and then use a sterile needle to puncture the base of the blister to drain the fluid. Be sure to thoroughly clean out the fluid inside the blister. However, the blister skin should be kept intact to cover the skin, providing protection, reducing the risk of infection, and promoting recovery.
What should I do if it swells after being scalded by boiling water?
After a scalding injury with boiling water that causes swelling, it is essential to first soak the affected area in running tap water or cold water for at least half an hour to reduce the skin temperature. If the burn is severe, not only showing swelling but also skin rupture, one should apply some ointment and then wrap it with gauze to keep the dressing clean and prevent infection, which can promote healing of the wound surface and reduce swelling more quickly. After a scald, the permeability of capillaries in the tissues notably increases, causing fluid from the vessels to seep into the interstitial space or outside the body, leading to tissue edema. It is beneficial to elevate the affected limb to increase the blood flow returning to the circulation, thereby alleviating the severity of the swelling. If the burn is severe enough to require surgery, skin grafting or flap surgery might be necessary.
Can soy sauce be used for burns?
After a burn, do not apply soy sauce because it contains a high amount of salt, which can aggravate the severity of the burn. Additionally, soy sauce may not be clean and could possibly contaminate the wound with bacteria, leading to infection. However, consuming soy sauce does not significantly affect the healing of burns. The correct practice is to immediately soak the burned area with running tap water or cold water for about half an hour, then observe if there are any blisters or similar conditions. You can apply some burn moisturizing cream for further treatment. Generally, the wound should be treated with exposure therapy, and in severe cases of burns, skin grafting or flap surgery might be considered.
Can you drink alcohol after a burn?
After a burn, it is not advisable to drink alcohol. This is because the burn site is in the repair phase of healing and has not fully recovered. During this period, more nutrients and a relatively normal metabolic state are required. Alcohol or alcoholic beverages contain ethanol, which can cause dilation of blood vessels and skin, as well as an increase in heart contraction. It can also lead to an increase in skin exudation, thereby worsening the condition of the burn wound, or causing infection at the wound, leading to inflammatory symptoms. The patient may experience itchiness at the burn site. Therefore, it is not advisable to drink alcohol after a burn to avoid delaying the healing process at the burnt area.
What should I do if it itches after a burn?
Itchy after scalding may be a mild itching sensation that appears during the wound healing process. This situation does not require deliberate treatment. With timely medication and dressing changes, the itchy feeling can gradually subside as the skin at the wound site heals. However, if redness and mild suppuration occur at the wound site, this indicates an allergic infection. In such cases, it is recommended to clean and disinfect with iodophor, followed by the external application of antibacterial medication and dressing, which can help treat the infection and promote healing at the site. If necessary, oral cephalosporin medications can be taken for combined treatment, which is more conducive to promoting healing. Additionally, during the recovery period, it is important to keep the wound dry and sanitary, avoid contact with water, and not consume spicy and irritating foods, to avoid affecting the healing of the wound.
Will a burn leave a scar?
Whether burns leave scars depends on the severity of the burn and whether emergency measures were taken after the burn. Clinically, burns can be divided into three degrees. A first-degree burn, which is mild, generally shows symptoms such as stinging pain, mild swelling, and erythema. With timely soaking in cold water, rinsing, and application of burn medicine, scars are not left. For deeper second-degree and third-degree burns that involve the dermis, there is a possibility of scarring. At this point, the skin at the affected area may show necrosis, and local healing may be delayed. Therefore, actively treating the burn immediately after it occurs, preventing infection, and quicker wound healing can reduce the likelihood of scarring.
How to treat burns from hot oil
After being scalded by hot oil, the first step is to remove yourself from the scalding environment and immediately rinse or soak the affected area with cold water for at least 20-30 minutes to reduce temperature and pain. Afterwards, disinfect with iodophor. Scald ointments, such as safflower oil, can be applied to the affected area. For blisters formed after a scald, use a sterile needle to puncture and drain the blister fluid, then apply medication and wrap it with sterile gauze. If the scald covers a large area or is a third-degree burn, it is generally not manageable on your own and requires prompt medical attention to avoid delaying treatment. (Please follow medical advice when using medication.)
What are the emergency measures for an epileptic seizure?
Epilepsy is a chronic disease characterized by transient brain dysfunction caused by sudden abnormal discharge of brain neurons. When a patient has an acute attack, several emergency measures should be taken to prevent injury: 1. During an epileptic seizure, the patient should lie flat, with the head turned to one side or on their side, to keep the airway clear and prevent the inhalation of vomit or secretions into the respiratory tract. 2. Be aware of the surrounding environment to prevent the patient from bumping into tables and chairs, causing secondary injuries. Closely observe the patient's consciousness, breathing, and pulse. 3. Loosen the patient's collar and belt to reduce resistance in the respiratory tract, and place a gauze-wrapped tongue depressor between the teeth to prevent tongue biting and vocalization. 4. Observe whether the patient shows symptoms of increased intracranial pressure and follow medical advice for medication when necessary. Additionally, for persistent epileptic seizures, call emergency services promptly for treatment.
How to treat oil burns?
After being scalded by oil, it is necessary to quickly rinse the affected area with plenty of cold water or running tap water to alleviate pain, and then thoroughly disinfect it with iodophor. If blisters form after a scald, for smaller blisters, applying a moist burn cream can promote the healing of the wound. Small blisters generally can be absorbed on their own. If there are large blisters, you should first use a sterile syringe to aspirate the fluid inside the blister, while preserving the blister skin. At the same time, applying burn moistening cream to the surface can prevent infection. If the epidermis is broken, it is necessary to go to a formal hospital for treatment promptly. After a scald, it is important to eat lightly, consume more vegetables and fruits, and eat high-protein, nutritious foods to promote the healing of the wound. Do not eat spicy and irritating foods, drink plenty of water, avoid getting the wound wet to prevent infection, and change dressings according to the doctor's instructions.