Should the burned skin on the finger be cut off?

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

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How to deal with burns that have broken the skin?

After a burn that breaks the skin, you can first assess the size of the burned area. For small burns, promptly rinse with cold water for about 20 minutes, or apply a cold compress to the affected area. Then, disinfect and clean the burn site with povidone-iodine, keeping the wound exposed to promote healing. If the burn is extensive, affecting the superficial dermis and reaching shallow second-degree or higher burns, after addressing the site, sterile dressings and treatments such as antibacterial and anti-inflammatory are necessary. Therefore, after the initial simple treatment, it’s crucial to seek professional medical treatment at a hospital promptly.

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What should I do if I have an esophageal burn?

Esophageal burns are a common and frequently occurring condition caused by consuming food or for other reasons where the temperature is too high, which damages the mucous membrane of the esophagus. At that time, one should immediately stop eating to reduce harm to the body. For mild cases, one can orally take egg whites or milk to protect the injured esophageal mucosa. Severe cases need to go to the hospital for medical treatment, take gastric mucosal protectants to prevent the formation of esophageal mucosal scars, prevent esophageal stricture, and at the same time, receive intravenous fluids, enhance nutritional support, supplement necessary vitamins, and can also use some drugs that promote the recovery of the esophageal mucosa, minimizing the damage of esophageal burns to the body.

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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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How long will it take for a burn with broken skin on the finger to heal?

When a finger is scalded, local symptoms such as swelling, redness, heat, and pain—an inflammatory response—will occur. The patient will experience significant pain and a burning sensation. Under these circumstances, it is essential to clean the wound promptly to prevent infection. If there is broken skin, it needs to be disinfected with hydrogen peroxide, then rinsed with saline solution, followed by an application of iodine. It is important to keep the skin at the broken site dry and avoid contact with water and contaminants. With such treatment, the broken skin typically forms a scab within about a week. After another week, the skin in the affected area will heal and regenerate.

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Can a burnt finger heal?

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.