Should the burned skin on the finger be cut off?

Written by Li Xiao Lin
Emergency Department
Updated on January 17, 2025
00:00
00:00

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.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wang Xiang Li
Emergency Medicine
59sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Chen Xiao Jun
Emergency Department
43sec home-news-image

How to deal with a burn on the finger that has not broken the skin

After accidentally burning a finger, even if the skin isn't broken, it should be treated quickly to prevent further absorption of heat and further damage to the skin, soft tissue, and muscles. Many skin and soft tissue burns can appear after a period of time. The burned finger should be immediately rinsed with ice water or cold water, for about 20-30 minutes. If there are ice cubes available at home, they can be used to locally apply ice. This can quickly and effectively reduce the heat damage to the skin and soft tissues, improve the prognosis, shorten the course of treatment, and at the same time, attention should be paid to prevent infection.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wang Xiang Li
Emergency Medicine
1min 3sec home-news-image

What fruit is good to eat for burns?

After a burn, one should consume more high-calorie, high-protein foods that are easy to digest. It is also appropriate to eat more foods that are high in vitamin C content. This is because vitamin C can promote wound healing and prevent infection. Foods rich in vitamin C include kiwi, citrus, oranges, dates, grapes, etc. Besides vitamin C, zinc also promotes wound healing, reduces scarring, and prevents infection. Foods rich in zinc include kelp, sesame, pork liver, oysters, shrimp shells, seaweed, legumes, etc. Avoid spicy and stimulating foods, and refrain from smoking, alcohol, strong tea, and coffee, especially peppers, onions, and pepper powder. This can effectively prevent wound infection and promote wound healing, killing two birds with one stone.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Ying Ying
Traditional Chinese Medicine
33sec home-news-image

How to treat burns from cupping therapy

For minor cupping burns without blistering, apply local iodine for disinfection and keep the area dry. If there are small blisters, let the skin absorb them naturally, disinfect daily with iodine, and keep the blistered skin intact. If the blisters are larger, clean a needle to puncture them and release the fluid, then keep the area dry and disinfect daily with iodine. If the patient has diabetes, or if the burn is severe or covers a large area, seek treatment at a burn clinic.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Chen Xiao Jun
Emergency Department
41sec home-news-image

Why does a burn on the finger hurt so much?

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).