Should I go see a doctor for a 2nd degree burn?
Question:
I'm concearned because I don't want it to leave a scar since the burn is in my forearm and fairly large. Thanks in advance
Answers:
see a plastic surgeon or a burns surgeon
cold water is the best/only first aid when you burn yourself - 20 minutes under the tap and no less. NEVER ice OR vinegar OR milk OR butter OR green tea OR mustard OR toothpaste OR sunscreen OR semen OR vaseline OR tomatoes OR vanilla extract OR yogurt OR sour cream OR egg white OR lavender oil OR cocoa butter OR salt OR tea bags OR potato OR shaving cream OR olive oil OR baking soda OR banana peel OR petroleum jelly OR whipped cream OR avocado OR bacon grease OR corn starch OR tumeric OR lemon juice OR curd OR pickle juice OR soy sauce OR urine OR talcum powder OR mashed strawberries OR exfoliating scrub OR mayonaise OR peroxide OR bleach- not until the skin is fully healed!
alcohol might help with the pain but it is a serious risk as it will dehydrate you - so don't drink any. ibuprofen or aspirin will help but larger burns are often accompanied by stomach ulcers, so tylenol/panadol is best for pain if you are gonna tough it out. drink plenty of water or energy drinks that don't have caffeine (gatorade)
i would advise that you cover the burnt area with white soft paraffin (white petroleum) or aqueous cream bp. (check the links below and see if you can find a local equivalent). wash the burn and reapply every 4-6 hours - cover with cling wrap if you wish to cover with clothes - this will stop your clothes getting covered with paraffin and maintains the burn.
cling wrap alone is ok if you can't get hold of any paraffin. it also acts as a protective artificial skin - helping retain moisture and protect from further damage and pain. cling wrap is cheap and clean off the roll. in Australia ambulances often use this when someone has been burnt. - please note that cling wrap isn't always practical, like on your face.
the paraffin imitates the natural oils, creating a seal stopping water leaving the body and reduces pain by protecting sensitised nerves. both of these factors improve healing - good stuff stays in, bad stays out - that is one job of healthy skin. aloe is good coz it remoisturises but that moisture can be quickly lost as the skin can't contain fluids. so put aloe on, and then the paraffin on over the top. if there is broken skin leave out the aloe - just paraffin.
http://www.doorone.com.au/xgs-aqueous_cr...
http://www.pharmacyonline.com.au/david-c...
http://www.cvs.com/cvsapp/cvs/gateway/de...
email if you still have questions - send photos feedingthedogcustard@hotmail.c...
finally if you are really worried go to a hospital that has a burns unit or plastic surgeons. serious sunburn i.e. blisters (and all other burns) should be seen by a burns trained doctor or nurse.
just a doctor if you think it will get infected. just make sure that you keep it clean and put antibacterial stuff on it. if you think that it is getting infected go to see a doctor, but a dermatoligist is unnecessary. I have had some serious burns but they never needed a doctors attention.
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