Sooooo, I had a really rough evening 2 night ago, and I cried myself to sleep in my smoking chair in the garage. It's still pretty cold at night here, so I had a heater close to me. At some point, my hand got too close to it and I woke up screaming in pain. At first it was just very red and intensely painful, but after an hour, perhaps less, I started developing blisters. Huge blisters. Blisters that merged and became monstrous blisters. One of them is a bit bigger than a quarter, and 2 others are about the size of a nickel. There are 3 or 4 smaller ones. They are on the top of my hand and two of the larger ones extend out onto my fingers. I've been reading up on 2nd degree burn care, and apparently I am not supposed to pop the blisters, but I am going insane! They hurt like hell, but thankfully I am medicated for other reasons. I know that we have a couple of nurses and perhaps even an MD here at PTZ, and I was hoping for some advice. My secondary problem is that i am in the process of moving...so this is not the best time for me to try and disfigure myself or get a raging infection. I am willing to send pics if that's needed, but I just want some good advice on what to do here! Thanks. ~Inna
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A Really Bad Burn
(16 posts) (10 voices)
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Posted 3 years ago #
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http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/first-aid-burns/FA00022
According to the Mayo Clinic, the size of your largest burn and the fact that it is on your hand means you should go to the Emergency Room as soon as possible. The fact that you are moving is irrelevant; you need professional medical care ASAP.
And I quote: "If the second-degree burn is no larger than 3 inches (7.6 centimeters) in diameter, treat it as a minor burn. If the burned area is larger or if the burn is on the hands, feet, face, groin or buttocks, or over a major joint, treat it as a major burn and get medical help immediately."
Do NOT break the blisters...that can lead to infection. Read the Mayo Clinic information very carefully...NO ICE, NO OIL OR BUTTER, NO POPPING BLISTER...HOLD IT UNDER COOL WATER FOR 15 MINUTES...
It's been 48 hours; if you see ANY sign of infection...redness, swelling, oozing, fever (take your temperature)...go to the ER.
Posted 3 years ago # -
tiff... I am an er nurse... I would rather you go there, make sure there is no infection. I know the meds you are on now cover the pain, but the pain signals what is wrong.. if you see any signs of redness up the arm, go to er... Please dont try to tough it out... Let me know if you need anything. you can keep it in cool water, like a bowl, or under running water. try not to pop it
Posted 3 years ago # -
Oh God, thank you so much for answering. It is so horrible to have these blisters, and try not to pop them. It scares me that I can't really feel too much pain because of my pain meds, but my family is really broke and a trip to the er is $100. We are in the middle of moving, and I am scared to do anything with this damn hand (and of course I am right handed). I am torn. I just wish that the blisters would go down. I read that on the Mayo page too, but I just put my head in the sand... Can it get infected if there are no open places? I tried to send a pic to my MD, but the damn thing is too big, and I can't seem to resize it to fit into their stupid little tiny space allowed. Arrghhhhhhhh!!! I am losing it!!! I'll keep you updated on the progression, or if I give in and go to the MD, or if I start to see signs of infection... Thank you both. ~Tif
Posted 3 years ago # -
Sorry to hear that the space heater won the battle, Inna.
My Momma, the mountain woman that she was, would tell you to use aloe on the area.Posted 3 years ago # -
Oh God Tiff, Let those blisters break on their own. Tepid to cool compress. Not icy. If there is any s/s of infection, get to Dr. Burned flesh is very susceptible to infection.. The mntn. woman is right Aloe offers alot of natural pain relief and keeps the flesh moist. Most important. Monitor for infection.. You could keep it wrapped with gauze, not to tight, make it damp with steril h20 so it wont stick before you wrap again. zinc oxide is good. Just dont let the flesh stick to the wrap. damp it everytime you go to change and watch watch watch.... Love ya. MomE.
Posted 3 years ago # -
So sorry to hear that, Inna. I hope you can heal without medical intervention and if you can't, I hope somehow the money will be there for you.
Posted 3 years ago # -
I thought most ER's in the uS are required to treat a patient regardless of ability to pay. Just tell them to bill you. Believe me, ER visits don't ruin your credit like medical bills used to. And moving? Aww, sweetie, you have the worst of all worlds. I loathe moving like you wouldn't believe. Well, at least you won't live next door to the evil family from Hell anymore. Silver lining??
Much love to you and your family, honey. Keep me posted on your burns. Thanks for making her feel more confident, MomE. :)
Hugs ~ H.S.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Tiff... I thought of something else... Lavender oil is good at drawing out hear from a burn, but do not put it on a blistered area. That skin is still raw and needs to stay clean and sterile... you can use the lavender oil on the non blistered area. It also works if you have a burn from cutting jalapenos or peppers...
how are you doing my dear??Posted 3 years ago # -
grr... sorry... draws out heat... not HEAR... I hate it when I am a dork
Posted 3 years ago # -
I'm so sorry to hear about the accident Inna. I definitely don't know how blisters like that are, but I can relate to being broke and having to pass on expensive health care. I also know the burden of having to move as I experienced an unfortunate case of foreclosure last summer. Yet another case of overinflated property value falling through the floor with too much owed to the bank. As with any money situation though, you must take care of yourself and things will work out. I hope the best for your burns and by all means, go to the ER if things are not clearing up for you. My wishes are with you and a speedy recovery. Don't forget to call upon friends and family to help with the move. I'm sure they will understand. I even had neighbors that we were not close to helping us move. It's amazing what some people will do for a home cooked meal. Like I said though, will be thinking about you and hope the healing goes smoothly and quickly.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Well, I could afford a regular visit to the MD, it was just the wrong time to do it (there's a lot to THAT story)....so.... I went to the pharmacy late that night for my husbands meds, and asked to speak to a pharmacist. It was about 1am. She said the blisters were so big that they needed to be popped. So I took a brand new small scalpel and just poked each one gently. The largest one took 2 4x4 sterile guaze pads to absorbe all of the liquid! The holes were very small, it was no big show, so I didn't tape it. They still hurt like h-e double hockey sticks, but so far they fill up with fluid 3-4 x's daily, not fill up, but get a bit in them, I push it out with clean hands, rewash everything, clean with alcohol (you KNOW I'm tough now!) and slather on neosporin, then wrap them in sterile gauze. It isn't fun what with all the moving, but life isn't a bowl of cherries, is it? More like a bowl of pits, if you ask me. I am watching closely for any signs of infection, and so far so good. I am going to try to upload a pic of the burn before I popped the blisters and see if Emil will put it up, heprobably wont, but what the heck, it's worth a try.
I had a crappy Valentine's Day, anyone else? My kids had a pretty decent one, lucky little farts! I hope you are loved gently and truly by someone on this Godforesaken Earth! Thanks for the "ahhh poor you's" guys, I needed 'em!!! ~TifPosted 3 years ago # -
You might try putting ice on it until the ice burns then take it off until the burn burns. This takes a bit but it does draw the pain and heat out. Also...see if your pharmacy has Lidocane Plus. This is a wonderful cream. It numbs the pain while it heals it. it is a burn and first aid cream with aloe. It is also wonderful on sunburns and small scrapes and insect bites.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Try to get a prescription for silvadene ointment. I have no medical experience, but it really, really helps with the pain.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Silvadine is great for the pain...but it is very expensive and some insurance won't pay for it except for certain things. It is used a lot to help with the pain of severe bed sores.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Tiff, hows it goin?? hope your burns are getting better..
Posted 3 years ago #
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