How long should a cold compress be applied after a burn?

Written by Li Xiao Lin
Emergency Department
Updated on March 20, 2025
00:00
00:00

After a burn, cold compresses are generally applied until the pain is relieved, which helps to decrease local temperature and reduce further progression of the burn. Then, thoroughly disinfect with iodine to reduce the risk of infection. If necessary, burn ointment can be used to promote healing of the burn, providing astringent and anti-inflammatory effects, beneficial for burn recovery. Sterile gauze can also be used to cover the wound to reduce contact infections. Normally, attention should be paid to diet, avoiding spicy, stimulating foods and seafood that may cause inflammation. It is advisable to drink more water and consume more fresh vegetables and fruits. If the pain is significant, oral pain relievers can be taken to alleviate symptoms, and antibiotics may be taken if necessary to prevent infection.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wang Xiang Li
Emergency Medicine
47sec home-news-image

Can finger burns severely affect movement?

After a finger is scalded but can still move, aside from leaving scars, it generally heals well and is not particularly serious. If the patient feels significant pain, the first step is to soak the wound in cold water. If there are blisters that are not very large, do not break them, as they can protect the wound and prevent bacterial invasion. For some larger blisters whose skins have died, they should be cleaned promptly. Normally, disinfecting with iodine can prevent infection. If the burn is severe, a burn ointment can be applied, but be careful to keep it dry with no further treatment required; it will typically take about 10 days for the blistered area to heal completely.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wang Xiang Li
Emergency Medicine
47sec home-news-image

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.

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

How to treat a burn from hot oil

After being scalded by hot oil, quickly wipe off the hot oil with a clean cloth and rinse the affected area with plenty of cold water or running tap water for more than half an hour, or until the pain eases. Then disinfect with iodine. If blisters occur after the burn and they are small and few, apply a moisturizing burn ointment locally to promote healing at the burn site. Generally, small blisters can absorb on their own. For larger blisters, use a sterile syringe to puncture the blister at its base and squeeze out the fluid, but keep the blister skin intact to maintain a sterile environment on the wound surface, and apply a burn moisturizing cream. If the epidermis is broken, seek treatment at a regular hospital. After a burn, it is advised to eat fresh vegetables and fruits to promote wound healing, avoid spicy and irritating foods, and keep the wound dry to prevent infection.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Xiao Lin
Emergency Department
43sec home-news-image

How many days do I need to apply ointment for a burn on my finger?

The duration of applying medication for a finger burn depends on the severity of the burn. If the burn is minor, medication is generally applied for two to three days until the pain is not significant, and then it may no longer be necessary to apply medication, as mild burns only affect the epidermis and relief from pain is sufficient. If the burn is more severe, medication may need to be applied for a longer period. Therefore, it is crucial to immediately rinse the burn under running water for at least half an hour to cool it down and minimize further progression of the burn. This action is beneficial for recovery. Additionally, if the burn is quite severe, it is advisable to seek prompt medical treatment at a hospital.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wang Xiang Li
Emergency Medicine
48sec home-news-image

Can soy sauce be used for burns?

After a burn, do not apply soy sauce because it contains a high amount of salt, which can aggravate the severity of the burn. Additionally, soy sauce may not be clean and could possibly contaminate the wound with bacteria, leading to infection. However, consuming soy sauce does not significantly affect the healing of burns. The correct practice is to immediately soak the burned area with running tap water or cold water for about half an hour, then observe if there are any blisters or similar conditions. You can apply some burn moisturizing cream for further treatment. Generally, the wound should be treated with exposure therapy, and in severe cases of burns, skin grafting or flap surgery might be considered.