How to treat scalds from boiling water?

Written by Li Xiao Lin
Emergency Department
Updated on March 26, 2025
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After being scalded by boiling water, immediately rinse the scalded area with running cold water for at least half an hour, or until the pain eases, then assess the condition of the burn. If the scalded area is only red and experiencing severe pain, applying toothpaste, aloe, or tung oil topically can have a cooling and pain-relieving effect. Pain relief medications, such as oral painkillers or celecoxib, can also be used to alleviate the symptoms. If blisters appear on the scalded area or if the skin starts peeling, immediately go to the hospital for further treatment. Disinfect the wound thoroughly with iodine to prevent infection, then apply burn ointment to the surface to promote healing of the scalded tissue. If there are large blisters, use a sterile syringe to aspirate the fluid, or make a small cut at the base of the blister to drain the fluid, which can facilitate recovery. Apply erythromycin ointment to the surface to prevent infection. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a physician.)

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Written by Li Xiao Lin
Emergency Department
1min 7sec home-news-image

How to treat scalds from boiling water?

After being scalded by boiling water, immediately rinse the scalded area with running cold water for at least half an hour, or until the pain eases, then assess the condition of the burn. If the scalded area is only red and experiencing severe pain, applying toothpaste, aloe, or tung oil topically can have a cooling and pain-relieving effect. Pain relief medications, such as oral painkillers or celecoxib, can also be used to alleviate the symptoms. If blisters appear on the scalded area or if the skin starts peeling, immediately go to the hospital for further treatment. Disinfect the wound thoroughly with iodine to prevent infection, then apply burn ointment to the surface to promote healing of the scalded tissue. If there are large blisters, use a sterile syringe to aspirate the fluid, or make a small cut at the base of the blister to drain the fluid, which can facilitate recovery. Apply erythromycin ointment to the surface to prevent infection. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a physician.)

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Written by Li Xiao Lin
Emergency Department
35sec home-news-image

What should I do if my finger is numb from a burn?

Numbness in a finger after a burn suggests a severe injury, likely affecting below the dermis and damaging nerves, leading to abnormal sensations and numbness. After a finger is burned, it should be immediately rinsed with cold or running water for at least thirty minutes to cool the burn down. Then, proceed to a hospital for proper care, such as disinfection, wrapping with gauze for protection, and possibly applying burn ointment to promote recovery. Follow the doctor's instructions for daily dressing changes, and take antibiotics as prescribed to prevent and treat infections.

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

Do you need to take medicine for a burn on your hand?

Whether medication is needed after a burn depends on the individual. If a hand is burned, it should first be rinsed under running tap water or soaked for at least half an hour. If the skin is not broken, it can be disinfected with iodine and then burn ointment may be applied. If there is blistering and the skin is broken, indicating a severe burn, larger blisters should be punctured at the base with a sterile needle and the fluid can be pressed out with a cotton swab while preserving the overlying skin. Then, sterile gauze should be used daily to re-dress the wound. If the burned area is oozing and the pain is significant, oral anti-bacterial and pain relief medications can be taken. If not allergic to cephalosporins, a cephalosporin antibiotic can be taken. For pain, ibuprofen can be used. If the burn is severe, it is necessary to seek timely medical treatment. (Please follow medical advice regarding medication.)

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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.

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Written by Li Xiao Lin
Emergency Department
41sec home-news-image

How to relieve pain from a finger burn that is red

Redness and pain have occurred in the finger due to a burn, indicating that the burn is not severe and has likely affected the epidermis and its terminal nerves, causing pain. First, to alleviate the pain, the burn can be immediately rinsed with cold water or running cold water for over half an hour. If pain relief is not significantly achieved by this method, oral pain relievers such as painkillers or celecoxib may be taken for pharmacological pain management, which should provide some relief. If oral medication is also ineffective, then it would be necessary to go to the hospital for muscle injection of pain-relief drugs. (Medication should be taken according to medical advice.)