What to do for pain relief from burns?

Question

I recently burned my feet by accidentally pourning boiling water on them (I know dumb thing to do), but anyway I have been prescribed tylonal w/codene, percaset, and now vicodin. None of them seem to work to keep the pain away for more then an hour and even then its just the edge. Can anyone suggest what else I can do? I am scared about becomeing dependent on these drugs.

Answer 1

it will take a time till u get redemedy
so dont think in one day u will be ok
it will take about 1 week

Answer 2

The pain stems partially from exposed nerves in the damaged skin, as well as those in the process of healing. Aside from keeping them out of open air, and taking the drugs you were prescribed, there really isn't anything else that will help with the pain. The odd thing about taking narcotics to control severe pain is that you seldom become addicted to them. They work on a pain/pleasure center of the brain, to block the pain rather than in your case, to exert pleasure. It seems that since there is no pleasure associated with the medications, you do not tend to want them otherwise if you use them as prescribed and wisely. Obviously you would not use them more than you needed, nor if you could use something of less strength.
Avoiding having air blow across the skin adjoining the burned area will help in not stimulating the damaged nerves, and maintaining a slightly higher temperature in your room so you don't get chilled. Otherwise, burns are probably some of the most painful injuries there are. I did part of my nursing training in a burn unit, and I found it very difficult to work there, because the pain levels the patients experienced were not easy to relieve unless the patient were unconscious. Even the treatments depend on pain sensation- when you debride to remove dead skin, you actually want the person to have feeling- as that's the only way you know you are dealing with live and viable skin. But knowingly inflicted that kind of pain on a person, even in the guise of helping healing, is very difficult to do on a daily basis.
I suppose the only thing I have to offer is knowledge that in your case, pain is a good thing. It means you are healing, and that the skin is still living- because it can feel. I wouldn't worry about addiction, even in worst case and you do need them long term, the doctors will wean you off gradually and give you the assistance you would need to do it. But in my experience, it was never needed when the patient was actually taking them for pain control and used them responsibly, which is what I think you are doing. Use them when you feel the need, and tolerate pain as you are able, using less intensive pain killers when you are better healed and able. Good luck, and I hope you heal soon. Usually the first 2 weeks are the worst, and will gradually ease off after the skin is better healed over the nerves. Avoid extremes of temperature, and eat nutritious foods to provide the things which help promote healing. You should do fine.

Answer 3

you will take this as strange and not sure if it will work this long after the fact....but when I worked food industry this was taught to me and I've used it numerous times w/ GREAT results.

normally your burn a finger tip so I would just squeeze a handful of chopped onions or green peppers. the natural juices in them help cure a burn, take away the sting and aid in healing it fast.

since its feet....I would get some of either green peppers or onions, which you can handle, and mince them up in a blender, get like a sink dish pan and put them in there and then soak your feet in them, smear the mush all over the burns and let it sit for a while, up to an hour if you can.

I know this sounds nutty.....but if done at time of burn....the next day you will almost have no blister and within minutes the pain is gone. again not sure if this will work later on....but whats a few dollars on green peppers to try.

As the Bible states.....all that man needs for food, shelter, and medicine is on this earth.....pills are not from this earth but created by man

Answer 4

Elevating your legs so your feet are higher or equal to your head may help- it will decrease the blood flow to your feet and may relieve some of the burning- I hope you have a cream to be applied to the burn areas. You don't say how long it has been since you had the accident, if it is more thant 2 days, I would go back and see the doctor to check out your burns. You feet may be getting infected and that would definitely cause and increase in the pain. Good luck.......

Answer 5

If it is that bad, you should see a doctor, it sounds like it is at least a 2nd degree burn. If it is deep, I wouldn't use Aloe Vera, because it heals from the outside down, meaning the outer skin would heal before the damage underneath, and that could cause an infection. There are burn creams that have pain relievers, but I don't know if I would use them before seeing the doctor. Best to use oral pain relievers, like aspirin or Tylenol until the doctor tells you what to do.

Answer 6

Believe it or not, mustard. Plain, yellow mustard. Just put it on the burned area, it will INSTANTLY take the pain away. You can leave it on for several hours, reapply as needed.

I've burned my hands (badly) so many times cooking - this works every time.

Answer 7

Ibuprofen is a definate good one. Im suprised your doctor didnt perscribe that. Ibuprofen is a really good anti-inflamatory.. stopping the swelling and releveing the pain.
Also Aloe gel or lotion will help sooth the skin.
Ask your pharmacist about a good burn creme :)

Chris

Answer 8

Put up with it and persevere, you will be like normal in a short time! Unless you end up hooked up on drugs. UGG! It takes time for your body to heal. be patient. I'm recovering from both feet in stitches.

Answer 9

i know you can't do this all the time, but i always thought that just a soak in plain cool water was the best for a burn. don't use ice, though. if i remember my girl scout first aid, it damages the delicate tissue.

Answer 10

I did the same thing you did, with the boiling water....the only thing that helped me was putting my feet in a big pot of cool water--that turned hell into heaven...