Burned my hand with freshly boiled water on Saturday. How to keep clean and treat it?

[accidentalglixch]

Burned my hand with freshly boiled water on Saturday. Ran under cold water for 10+ minutes and used an ice pack for over an hour. Then kept it wrapped in clingfilm.

The burn is in the back of my hand, in the crease where my thumb is, around the thumb and on the palm.

I didn't go to A&E as I didn't want to waste their time because it was caused by my Fibromyalgia and i felt so so silly! Sharp pain in my right hand when pouring the kettle caught me off guard and hand gave way a little.

Sunday I removed the clingfilm, gave the wound a light wash with a mild bar of soap and patted dry. Re-wrapped in cling film. It started to smell really bad Sunday morning which Is why I cleaned the area gently.

I noticed that this morning (Monday) my hand has blistered and is stinging even more than yesterday.

1) how do I keep the wound clean to avoid it becoming infected or smelly?

2) how long do I keep it wrapped in Clingfilm for or is there something else I should be doing?

[Bevvy]

I’m afraid we are not medical experts here and looking at your hand I do think you need to be seen by someone medically trained. Yes it would be a long wait in A&E but maybe you have a walk in centre nearby that might be quicker. Or would nurses at gp practice see you? But that may be days wait…. Otherwise I think you have to “bite the bullet “ and go to A&E. That looks a nasty burn and now is blistering. Potentially some of how you have been caring for it, isn’t correct. But as I said I’m not a doctor or nurse. I have some first aid training and don’t believe putting ice packs on is recommended. And whilst use of cling film IS a recognised form of treatment, this would only be prior to seeing a doctor and then having proper clinical sterilised burns treatment. You have said it’s getting worse, and I’m hoping you have done something whilst waiting for a response here, but if not please seek medical assistance as soon as possible.

[Sorohan]

you are doing very well

If you get non(stick) non adhesive dressing from your chemist clean the skin with warm water watch out for inflammation in case it gets infected then see your Practice/nurse you might need antibiotics You don’t need to change dressing every day

Take painkillers for pain

Good luck

[cyberbarn]

If you are in the UK you can ring NHS 111 for advice. If they think you need to be seen by a medical professional they can also book a time slot or appointment for you, or tell you where you can go to have it properly dressed. You can also contact them via the internet.

111.nhs.uk

Alternatively, many community hospitals and even the big ones with A&Es also have minor injuries units. Some GP medical centres have them too. You can often walk into those and there are not the long waits you get from A&E.

Hands are really important to humans, it puts up ahead of all the other animals. So it is worth taking care of them!

[Sroot in reply to cyberbarn]

I'd go to the chemist and have the Pharmacist look at it. They will give you the best advice. Hope it heals soon. Take care of yourself.

[Konagirl60]

CURAD soothe and cool bandages are made for superficial burns. Can you buy them at your local pharmacy?