Can a burnt finger heal?

Written by Li Xiao Lin
Emergency Department
Updated on September 15, 2024
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Whether a burnt finger can heal depends on the severity of the burn; we cannot generalize. If the burn affects only the epidermis, it should heal quite well and can fully recover. However, if the burn reaches the dermis beneath the skin, healing can still occur but will take longer and may leave some complications and scarring. Scarring can restrict movement of the finger and affect its appearance. If the burn is very deep, below the dermis, and affects nerves and blood vessels, the healing capacity will be significantly reduced. Healing may be poor, affecting the function or mobility of the finger, leading to severe impairment similar to paralysis. In severe cases, amputation might be necessary.

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Written by Zhang Jian Bo
Dermatology
1min 11sec home-news-image

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 being scalded by oil?

After being scalded by oil, one should not drink alcohol, as alcohol can accelerate local blood circulation at the burn site, thereby worsening local congestion, swelling, and pain, and also prolonging the healing time of the wound. Therefore, after being scalded by oil, it is not advisable to consume beer, spirits, fruit wines, or yellow wine. Patients also need to be mindful of their diet and avoid consuming spicy foods such as raw onions, raw garlic, chili peppers, and leeks, which, like alcohol, can cause an increase in local congestion, swelling, and pain.

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Written by Wang Xiang Li
Emergency Medicine
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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.

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Written by Chen Xiao Jun
Emergency Department
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What should I do if the circulation is poor after a finger scald?

After a finger is scalded and circulation is poor, it is necessary to improve this by constantly changing the dressing. Poor circulation after scalding affects the recovery of finger skin and the formation of new skin. If poor circulation is observed after a scald, it is crucial to intensify dressing changes, even remove necrotic tissue, and promote the growth of granulation tissue. When necessary, relevant medications can be used to remove decay and generate new muscle, improve microcirculation, and promote the regeneration of skin and muscle.

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Written by Wang Xiang Li
Emergency Medicine
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Do you need to bandage after a burn?

Whether bandaging is needed depends on the severity of the burn. Generally, if it's just simple redness, no bandaging is needed. After the local skin is scalded, if blisters form, it is considered a superficial second-degree burn. You can first rinse with cold water or soak in cold water for more than half an hour, or apply ice to reduce the pain. Before bandaging, clean the wound with hydrogen peroxide, then disinfect the wound surface with iodine, release the water inside the blister while keeping the blister skin, then apply burn ointment on the gauze, cover the wound surface, and then use multiple layers of dry gauze for bandaging. Generally, change the dressing every three days, and recovery can occur within two weeks, leaving no scars later. Patients should maintain a light diet, eat fresh vegetables and fruits, avoid spicy and stimulating food, and abstain from alcohol.