How do I prevent a burn from blistering?

Question

I spilt scalding hot soup down my arm as I took it out of the microwave; I've held it under cold running water for about 10 minutes, is there anything else I can do?

Answer 1

If it blisters, it blisters. There is no way to stop it from blistering, but keeping it cool is a great idea. Usually I get hot glue gun burns. Get it under cold water asap and then check it for blistering. Burns hurt so bad that I have to wrap them in a wet towel and getit wet every half hour or so. they seem to heal faster when you keep them cool.

Sory, I hope you feel better soon!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 2

You did the right thing by running it under cold water - repeat it if necessary giving yourself a 5 minute break between sessions - it can take up to an hour to totally cool a scald depending on how bad it is.

Other than that, just keep it cool. Ignore all the "old wives tales" about rubbing on butter/fat/vaseline, they will all make it worse as they act as an insulator keeping it all warm.

Depending on how severe it is, you may blister slightly, but if you ran it under cold water immediately, then chances are you'll be a bit sore but otherwise fine!

Answer 3

You have to keep it under cold water for as long as possible, if you cant stand under the tap all night then you should put a bag of ice or frozen peas on it.
I burnt my finger a while ago, pretty bad too and i held a frozen corn on the cob for about and hour and it didn't blister one bit. Good luck and be more careful next time!

Answer 4

Ice is not recomnended just cold water from tap is fine. blistering doesn't do anything to prevent infection it is the result of inflammation caused by burn. There is oozing of fluid from blood vessels whatever is the cause of infammation. whether infection, trauma, burn or allergy.
as far as tooth paste or bar soap are concerned, the main idea is to get rid of heat which is still inside the tissues immediately after burn and can cause further damage but nothing else can remove the heat as fast as running tap water.(ice is not recomnended perhaps because it can cause damage itself by freezing and there is already pain, u don't know that).
So forget about tooth paste or soap otherwise u might forget more important thing running water.

Answer 5

Toothpaste. When i was 10 i thought it'd be a good idea to see if the iron was hot with my hand. After running it under cold water, my mum put toothpaste on the burnt area which kept it cool for longer.
Generally, mums know everything and they have the best ideas.

If its really bad, id go to A&E or ring NHS Direct.

Answer 6

Toothpaste isn't a sturdy thought for a burn. this is a drawing agent and does harm, even moreso than the burn. Cool water and aloe are the main suitable for a minor burn. Lidacain is sturdy for the discomfort if there is any. you prefer to characteristic moisture if a threat additionally, a sturdy after sunlight cream is the main suitable, like Panama Jack or Bananna Boat. stay sparkling of butter and oil, it too could reason greater harm.

Answer 7

cooling was the right thing to do - blisters are natures way of keeping out infection (the liquid inside is sterile) so if you do blister do not pop them. Cover the area with clean material to prevent infection once the burn is cool.

Answer 8

Carry on keeping your arm under cold tap. If you have access to a piece of fresh aloe vera plant, apply it over your arm. Or if you have liquid paraffin apply over it to soften/moisturise the area. It does prevent blisters.

And if necessary, go to your ER/Casualty. If they think you need it, they'll use Flamazine (Silver Sulphadiazine) and put some dressing over it.

Answer 9

Take your arm out water put a towel on it then ice on top of the towel. If it does blister don't put cream on it it'll hurt and the doctors will have to take it off and its painful.

Answer 10

Ice, and plenty of it. A burn will carry on burning even though the source of heat is removed. Cold stops the burn penetrating deeper into skin layers.