Damn! Did you touch something hot and get a blister on your finger? Blisters and red skin indicate a second-degree burn. They can be very painful and lead to complications if not treated properly. However, you can heal them by intervening promptly, cleaning and healing the wound and promoting healing.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Using First Aid Techniques
Step 1. Put your finger under cold water
Once your finger is free, put it under cool running water and keep it there for 10-15 minutes. If you don't have access to a tap, you can also wrap it in a towel soaked in cold water for the same amount of time or soak it in a bowl full of water. This way you will be able to relieve pain, decrease swelling and prevent further skin damage.
- Do not use hot, boiling water or ice. You risk worsening the burn and blisters.
- Cold water cleans the wound, reduces swelling, accelerates healing and prevents scar formation.
Step 2. Remove jewelry or other items under cold water
Cold helps reduce swelling. While holding your finger under running water or wrapped in a damp towel, remove the rings or other objects that adhere to your hand. Act as quickly and gently as possible before the area swells. Doing so will avoid the difficulty of removing them with dry fingers. In addition, you will be able to better heal the blister on the burned finger.
Step 3. Don't break the blisters
You may immediately notice bubbles no bigger than a fingernail. Leave them intact to prevent the development of bacteria and the development of an infection. If they break on their own, gently clean the area with mild soap and water, then apply antibiotic ointment and bandage them with non-stick gauze.
See your doctor right away if your bladder is quite large. It may break it to prevent it from tearing on its own or developing an infection
Step 4. Go to the emergency room
In some cases, burn blisters need to be urgently examined. If you experience any of the following symptoms, go to the nearest emergency room:
- Large blisters.
- Severe pain or no pain.
- The burn covers the entire finger or several fingers.
Part 2 of 3: Clean and Bandage the Wound
Step 1. Wash the burned area
Use water and a mild cleanser to gently clean the affected finger. Gently scrub the area, being careful not to break the blisters. This way you can reduce the risk of infections.
Treat one burned finger at a time
Step 2. Let it air dry
Burns continue to develop within 24-48 hours of contact with the heat source. You risk worsening the pain and discomfort by rubbing the area with a towel. Then, let your finger air dry before covering it with bandages and ointments. In this way it will tend to disperse the accumulated heat, the risk of a blister forming will be less and you will relieve the pain.
Step 3. Wrap her with sterile gauze
Before applying any type of ointment, let the wound cool. A soft, sterile dressing will allow the bladder to cool and protect it from bacteria. Change the gauze if the lesion produces purulent discharge or ruptures. Keeping the wound clean and dry will also prevent an infection.
Step 4. Apply ointment if your skin is healthy
Spend 24-28 hours, use a healing and protective ointment. Only proceed if the blisters are still intact and the skin is intact. Choose one of the following creams and spread a thin layer of it on the blister and burn area:
- Antibiotic ointment.
- Moisturizing product without alcohol and perfume.
- Honey.
- Cream based on silver sulfadiazine.
- Aloe-based gel or cream.
Step 5. Don't use home remedies
An old medicinal recipe suggests applying butter to burns. However, it retains heat and can cause infections. To prevent heat from being blocked and to protect the wound from infection, do not cover it with home remedies based on butter and other substances, including:
- Toothpaste.
- Oil.
- Manure.
- Beeswax.
- Bear fat.
- Egg.
- Lard.
Part 3 of 3: Healing the Blisters and Burns
Step 1. Take a pain reliever
Burn blisters can swell and be very painful. Aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen sodium and acetaminophen help reduce the discomfort caused by pain and swelling. Learn about contraindications and follow the dosage instructions provided by your doctor or in the package leaflet.
Step 2. Change the dressing daily
Keep the bandage clean and dry. Change it at least once a day. If it feels dirty or wet, put another one on. By doing this, you can prevent blisters and infections.
If the bandage has stuck to the lesion or bladder, wet it with clean fresh water or saline solution
Step 3. Avoid friction and pressure
By bumping into objects, touching them or even exerting friction and pressure on the finger, there is a risk that the blisters will tear, compromising the healing process and favoring the onset of infections. Use your other hand or fingers and avoid wearing clothing that adheres excessively to the affected area.
Step 4. Consider tetanus vaccination
Burn blisters can be contaminated with the tetanus bacillus. If you have never been vaccinated against this infectious disease in the past 10 years, ask your doctor to give you the vaccine. It will prevent you from developing tetanus as a result of the burn.
Step 5. Watch for signs of infection
The burn may take time to heal. In some cases, since burn injuries can become infected easily, it is possible to develop an infection, but also to experience more serious problems, such as loss of mobility in the finger. See your doctor right away if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Purulent secretions.
- Increased pain, redness and / or swelling.
- Fever.
