What should I do if I get a burn on my face?

Written by Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
Updated on January 02, 2025
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If a burn occurs on the face, first rinse the burned area with running tap water or immerse the burned part of the face in a basin of tap water to promptly reduce the temperature of the burn site and lessen heat damage to the deeper tissues. Be sure the water is not too cold and generally rinse or soak for about 30 minutes, until the pain at the wound site significantly eases, and then rinsing or soaking may be discontinued. After rinsing or soaking in cool water, observe the burned area. If the burn site is slightly purple and red, you can apply some burn ointment at home. If there are obvious blisters or the skin is broken, protect the burn site with a clean towel and go to the nearest hospital burn department for professional medical treatment quickly. Be sure to protect the blisters on the burn site to avoid bursting them.

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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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How to treat baby's burns with blisters

If the burn has just occurred, first ensure the baby is quickly removed from the heat source, and soak the affected area in running tap water or cold water for over half an hour. Alternatively, a cold towel can be used to moisten and cover the wound, which can reduce the thermal damage to the burn area and minimize the formation of weeping wounds. If the blistered area is small, a moisturizing burn ointment can be applied. If there are small blisters, they may be left untreated, but do not break them; this maintains a sterile environment and allows the blister to absorb slowly. However, if it is a large burn area, it is necessary to seek immediate medical attention at a nearby burn unit for proper dressing and treatment of the burn. Additionally, care should be taken to avoid squeezing the burned area and to prevent the wound from getting wet.

doctor image
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Written by Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
52sec home-news-image

What should I do if I get a burn on my face?

If a burn occurs on the face, first rinse the burned area with running tap water or immerse the burned part of the face in a basin of tap water to promptly reduce the temperature of the burn site and lessen heat damage to the deeper tissues. Be sure the water is not too cold and generally rinse or soak for about 30 minutes, until the pain at the wound site significantly eases, and then rinsing or soaking may be discontinued. After rinsing or soaking in cool water, observe the burned area. If the burn site is slightly purple and red, you can apply some burn ointment at home. If there are obvious blisters or the skin is broken, protect the burn site with a clean towel and go to the nearest hospital burn department for professional medical treatment quickly. Be sure to protect the blisters on the burn site to avoid bursting them.

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Written by Li Xiao Lin
Emergency Department
45sec home-news-image

Should the burned skin on the finger be cut off?

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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Written by Chen Xiao Jun
Emergency Department
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How to deal with peeling skin after a finger burn?

After a finger is scalded and begins to peel, it is essential to immediately use ice water and cool water to rinse the area, which can be done for about half an hour. If there is ice available at home, you can use ice packs for local cold compresses. This can quickly lower the local temperature and reduce further damage to the skin, soft tissues, and muscles from the heat. On the other hand, you can use appropriate ointments to prevent infections that may occur after the local skin is damaged, while also incorporating comprehensive treatments such as fluid replenishment. If there is a worsening of the local infection, it is necessary to go to the hospital for further treatment.