Why does a burn on the finger hurt so much?

Written by Chen Xiao Jun
Emergency Department
Updated on September 11, 2024
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After a finger is scalded, it can be extremely painful. This is related to the sensitivity of the nerve endings in the fingers. The limbs and fingers have a dense distribution of nerves, and when scalded or injured, the pain can be very pronounced, resulting in sharp and stabbing symptoms. After a finger is scalded, it is important to cool it down promptly to reduce the damage to the skin tissue. Depending on the condition, relevant medications should be used to prevent infection. Medications can also be used to reduce the symptoms of pain. If the pain is particularly severe, appropriate pain relief medication can be used (please use medications under the guidance of a doctor).

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Written by Zhang Jian Bo
Dermatology
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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.

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Written by Wang Xiang Li
Emergency Medicine
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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.

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Written by Wang Xiang Li
Emergency Medicine
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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.

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Written by Li Xiao Lin
Emergency Department
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How to deal with blisters from a burn when there is no burn ointment available

After a burn causes blisters, it indicates that the burn is quite severe. If you don’t have burn ointment, there are two other methods that can be adopted. The first method is applicable if the blister is small and contains little fluid. You can protect the blister from infection by thoroughly disinfecting the area and then covering it with sterile gauze to wait for the blister to be absorbed. If the blister is large and filled with significant fluid, you can use a needle to drain it or make a small incision at its lowest point to let the fluid out. Then, thoroughly disinfect the area and cover it with a sterile gauze pad. You can wait for the fluid to be absorbed as much as possible while preventing infection. Avoid contacting the burn with water to protect the area and prevent secondary infection.

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Written by Li Xiao Lin
Emergency Department
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Should the burned skin on the finger be cut off?

Whether to cut off the skin after a finger burn depends on the specific circumstances and cannot be generalized. It depends on the cause of the finger burn. If the burn is caused by relatively clean boiling water, the skin does not need to be cut off after disinfection. The skin acts as a protective layer, similar to a dressing, which can reduce contact with foreign objects and minimize damage to the burn from external particles or foreign objects, therefore providing certain protection. However, if the burn is caused by contaminated substances, such as lime, and the finger is contaminated, the previously burned skin should be cut off. After cleaning, it is considered a foreign object that could potentially worsen an infection.