What do you do after you burn your finger?

Question

I don't want to lose feeling in my finger tips.. and I work near a grill.. and just in general getting burns they suck. What can I do?

Answer 1

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 turmeric OR lemon juice OR curd OR pickle juice OR soy sauce OR urine OR talcum powder OR mashed strawberries OR exfoliating scrub OR mayonnaise OR peroxide OR bleach OR deep heat- 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_Cream~NS-1~linkin_id-8009837

http://www.pharmacyonline.com.au/david-craig-paraffin-400g-p-1831.html

http://www.cvs.com/CVSApp/cvs/gateway/detail?prodid=134100&previousURI=/CVSApp/cvs/gateway/search?page=1^Query=White+Petrolatum^ActiveCat=65

email if you still have questions - send photos [e-mail]

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.

Answer 2

It all depends on the severity of the burn. There are three different kinds of burns. 1st, 2nd and 3rd degree. Can find out the classifications of each easily by searching online.

If these are minor burns they should heal in a matter of days if taken care of properly. What you should first do is place your finger in cool water. Do not put ice on for it can in some cases can cause further damage to the skin. After soaking the burn area you should apply either aloe-vera or an antibiotic ointment and then cover it with a sterile dressing like gauze or a band-aid. This is standard first aid.

If this is a common re-occurrence at your job, you should probably look into some protection for your hands so this does not happen often.

Answer 3

Depends on how bad you burn it... i burn my finger tips all the time at work... I work at McDonalds and we usually just run to the back sink and run cold water over it for a few minutes then put some burn cream on it and stay away from the heat... but only if it is a bad burn... if it is just a slight burn we usually dont' to anything for it... i have many scars on my hands from work... but thats all that has happened... just scars.... you're not going to loose your finger....

Answer 4

Lots of cold water on the burn will help it to begin with. I like to use Second Skin bandages. they are a medicated water gel bandage that really help to soothe the burn. If you don't have those, get some aloe vera gel and slather that on and wrap with saran wrap to help keep the finger moist. Do not pop the blister if you can at all avoid it.

Answer 5

Run them under cold water first then get a bowl of cold water with ice in it to make it extra cold and place your finger tips fingers ect. and put some aloe vera on them when your fingers have been in the water for atleast 1 min, you can take your hand in and out of it but not for to long though.

Answer 6

Just rinse it under cool (not cold) water to reduce the heat. Then lightly wrap it in gauze to prevent exposure to the additional heat and make the burn worse (In your case, use clear or white disposable gloves over the gauze. If you work at a restaurant, they should provide them near the kitchen. At least McDonald's does). Good luck with your burns, and try to be more careful!

Answer 7

For such burns (1st degree), put the affected area on a cold running water for certain minutes until the pain is alleviated. Don't put any harmful agents such as toothpaste as to they can infect the burn.

Answer 8

tea tree oil work the best on burns . apply , let set for a sec. rinse , repeat. and let it air out.
Also , if you have a fresh aloe plant , keep a peice or 2 wrapped up in the freezer, when you get burned , you can break it open and wrap the frozen aloe around the burn till the aloe is at room temperature.
Red grapeds also work well for fingertip burn. Just open up the grape and let it set on the burn for a while. or you can blend the grapes and soak the hand in that. Grapes heal skin very fast. and reduce swelling.

Answer 9

There are two different things that I have heard that you can do immediately. One is put mustard on it and rub it in. I have heard there is something in it that helps it not hurt so bad. The other is something that is supposed to be the same type thing..but they say to use egg. After that I would say use the burn cream from a first aid kit, then determine if it is bad enough to see a doctor.
Mustard I have heard works to help the burn pain tho. Sounds weird, but try it:)

Answer 10

Mustard, like for on hot dogs, will draw the heat out. Ice will drive the burn deeper into your fingers. Can you get some light weight heat proof gloves? This is a serious safety issue.