need good advice on treating a 2nd degree burn?

Question

yeah, i got a bad burn last sunday (todays friday) from screwing around with a friend, well long story short it was from a lighter that was lit for like 1-2 minutes, right on top of my hand, and it not really healing well. i looked on "webmd" and it sounds like a 2nd degree burn...yeah i know, im kinda stupid. but i dont want this to scar up too bad... so my question is; does anybody know anything i can do, besides going to the doctor, to help this heal quicker, and with out leaving to much of a scar?

in response to chunkydunk...no its not leaking anything, and its not puffed up or inflamed, its just dry and open about a centimeter. its all white and a lttle yellowish on the outsides of it.

Answer 1

Smaller burns, both 1st and 2nd degree generally heal without scarring. It's too late to give the immediate care the burn required. However, takes the following steps to prevent infection, ensure good healing and reduce the chances of scarring. Three times a day gently wash with mild soap and cool water, gently pat dry, apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment, gel or cream (Neosporin, Polysporin, Triple Antibiotic ointment, etc.) and cover with a loose bandage. You can use a large band-aid (2x2) and apply it loosely. Always wash your hands with soap and water before giving yourself your treatment. When changing bandages, gently wash the burned area and check for signs of infection before taking the next steps.

Signs of infection include swelling, redness, blisters filled with a greenish or brownish fluid, oozing pus or red streaks spreading away from the burn area. If you should see any of this or if you develop a fever, call your doctor.

Once the healing is well on its way and the burn area is completely intact (skin is closed), discontinue the antibiotic and bandage and, instead, apply aloe vera gel to minimize scarring or discoloration of the skin.

Hope this helps and take care.

Answer 2

Depends on what the injury is doing. Is it weeping fluids of any kind? Is it puffed up like a blister? Is it in-flamed? How large of an area is it? My best advice is to soak it in warm clear water daily, then leave it air out as much as you can. If you have to cover it place an antibiotic ointment on the bandage before placing it over the burn. The dead skin will need to be pulled away as soon as you can. I would expect very few changes it's looks for atleast another week. However in that time frame you should be feeling less pain. The burn is healing from the inside outward, that is why you are not seeing very many changes yet. Once your burn is clear of dead skin and has a new layer of skin forming, use a quality lotion, I would use one with Aloe Vera and vitamin E in it or you can purchase the scar remover lotion. Good Luck! And I hope this was a good learning lesson for you!

Answer 3

Do NOT bandage it!!! Bathe it frequently in leuk warm water and apply antibiotic gel to the burn area gently. Take ibuprofen for pain.

Answer 4

I say, get you and your hand to a doctor!