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Scald
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.
How to remove burn scars
Scars from burns, if relatively fresh, can be treated with scar removal creams such as silicone gel dressings. It is necessary to consistently use these creams for about three months, and using them in conjunction with scar patches can enhance the effects. During the use of scar creams, the diet should also be light, avoiding spicy and irritating foods, and consuming more fresh vegetables and fruits that are rich in Vitamin C, and foods high in vitamins. At the same time, avoid intense exercise and scratching the affected area to prevent worsening of the scar hyperplasia. For older burn scars, fractional laser treatment can be considered. Depending on the degree of scar elevation, typically three to five treatments are needed. (Use medication under the guidance of a doctor)
What should I do if it keeps burning after a scald?
After a burn, if there is persistent burning pain, you can first rinse with running cold water until the pain eases. Then apply toothpaste, aloe, or camphor oil on the surface of the burn to cool and relieve pain, alleviating symptoms. If necessary, cover the burned area with a sterile gauze and then apply ice. This can help relieve pain. If needed, pain relief medication such as painkillers or celecoxib can be taken orally. If the pain is severe, you can also go to the hospital for an intramuscular injection of dexamethasone or butorphanol to relieve symptoms. Also, pay attention to diet; avoid spicy, stimulating foods and foods that cause inflammation. Drink plenty of water and eat fresh vegetables and fruits. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a physician.)
How to deal with a skin scald that has broken the skin?
After a skin burn breaks the skin, if the area is relatively small and there is no obvious swelling, a moisturizing burn ointment can be applied. If the area is larger and accompanied by some exudation and swelling, it is necessary to go to the hospital for timely treatment. Under the guidance of a doctor, antibiotic ointment should be applied, and oral antibiotics should be taken. Common choices include Cefalexin, Cefradine dispersible tablets, and erythromycin for anti-infection treatment. Antibiotics can be used if there is no allergic reaction to them. If severe burn symptoms occur, combined with serious infections, swelling, and significant exudation, it is crucial to go to the hospital for medical treatment immediately. Severe cases may require hospitalization. Do not scratch the skin yourself, and avoid spicy and irritating food.
How long does it take for a deep second-degree burn to heal?
Second-degree burns generally require three to four weeks to heal. The healing time for burn wounds depends on the depth of the burn. Second-degree burns include both superficial partial-thickness and deep partial-thickness burns. Superficial partial-thickness burns involve blistering of the upper dermis. The blisters are relatively full, and the base of the wound is red and moist with substantial exudation. There is significant swelling and severe pain. Under non-infected conditions, superficial partial-thickness burns generally heal within two weeks without scarring. Deep partial-thickness burns affect the deeper layer of the dermis. Blistering in this case tends to be relatively flat, and the base of the wound appears red and white, sometimes showing a net-like pattern of vessel thrombosis. These wounds have less elasticity and the pain is less intense. Deep partial-thickness burns generally take three to four weeks to heal and leave scars. Therefore, formal anti-scarring treatment is required after healing of a deep partial-thickness burn.
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.
Can you take a bath with a burned finger?
Burned fingers can be washed during a bath, as long as the burned finger does not come into contact with running water. Of course, if the finger burn is only minor, merely affecting the epidermis, it actually does not matter if it comes into contact with water while bathing. However, if the burn is severe, then it must not come into contact with water to prevent infection and worsening of the condition. The main treatment for finger burns involves disinfecting and protecting the burned area, controlling infection, and promoting recovery. Bathing does not affect this process.
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.)
How long will it take for a burn on the finger to heal?
How long it takes for a finger burn to improve depends on the severity of the burn, and one cannot generalize. If the burn affects only the epidermal layer, recovery or complete healing generally takes about a week. This is because skin metabolism, which takes about 5 to 7 days to renew, especially at burned areas such as on the face or fingers, can take longer to heal. Moreover, if the burn is deeper, reaching below the dermal layer, the recovery time depends on how deep the burn is. It might take 2 weeks or even up to a month for complete recovery. Therefore, the duration needed for a burn to heal depends on the severity of the burn.