Second-degree burn on fingers - why does webmd say seek med care?

[AmyAnne]

Not having a good evening -- dropped the pyrex pan full of chicken from the oven on the kitchen floor. In addition to causing a huge mess, it burned two fingers and a bit on my palm.

Pretty sure it is a second-degree burn -- three blisters, plus it hurts a lot, even 3+ hours later.

I looked online to see if there is anything that will help with the pain, and the reputable websites (webmd, mayo, nih) all say to seek medical treatment for a second-degree burn if its on a hand, but they don't say why . . .

Any medical people here have any thoughts?

 

[LoriNSC]

I'd say because of the risk of infection for one.

 

[AmyAnne]

But would there be a special risk of infection with hands? The websites say most second-degree burns do not require medical care.

My insurance would pay for an urgent-care clinic visit, but there is a $50 copay. Plus, just not how I want to spend the rest of my evening I would go, though, if I knew why it is really necessary. The only symptoms now are blisters and pain.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Burns are painful. It will probably be a lot better tomorrow. It doesn't sound like something I would seek medical attention for. You aren't getting an infection if the skin isn't broken. Wait and see how you feel tomorrow.

 

[marlynnp]

But would there be a special risk of infection with hands? The websites say most second-degree burns do not require medical care.

My insurance would pay for an urgent-care clinic visit, but there is a $50 copay. Plus, just not how I want to spend the rest of my evening I would go, though, if I knew why it is really necessary. The only symptoms now are blisters and pain.

Seriously???
Why is there any question about that?
Do you not touch hundreds of surfaces everyday?
Door knobs and railings, shopping cart handles, etc. touched by many other people.
Food preparation.
Bathrooming... I hope details aren't needed for that one.

 

[GraysMom]

I burned the back of my ring finger on the oven rack a few months ago-400 degree oven burns through skin quickly . The skin basically sizzled off immediately and was extremely painful.

I highly suggest calling the area drugstores to see if anyone carries a product called Water Jel or Burn Jel http://www.waterjel.com/consumer-products/burn-jel-plus/. The paramedics at the amusement park I used to work at recommended it. I once burned my hand with freshly brewed coffee at the park. The EMTs lathered my hand in Water Jel and then wrapped it LOOSELY in gauze. I was then instructed to keep my hand in a bowl/bucket of clean cool water for as many hours as I could to help "pull" the heat out of the burn. I kept my hand in water continuously for about 5 hours that night, changing the water when it was no longer cool. Not only was there no pain the next day, but there was no redness or anything to indicate I had been burned.

After the oven rack burn I used the same method with the Water Jel, but I was only able to keep it in water for about an hour since it was midnight when I burned it. I slathered on a ton of the gel before loosely wrapping in dry gauze and going to bed. It did help with the pain, though this burn was much worse and I wasn't able to soak for as long, so it didn't provide as much relief as before. I continued to use the Water Jel every day until the burn healed. You can barely tell there is a scar there and it's only been a couple of months.

Ever since that first bad burn, I always keep a bottle of Water Jel on hand just in case. I *think* it is aloe vera based, but then they add lidocaine for pain relief, along with tea tree oil and I'm not sure what else. If you can't find the Water Jel, at least get some 100% real aloe vera gel to coat the burn (you might have to look at a health food store for the 100% stuff).

 

[dawnhaze]

I think the primary concern is burns over a large surface area of the hand, because of the risk of infection if large blisters form and pop.

If the burns are small and don't impair the mobility of your hand, you can probably skip a doctor's visit, but do keep the area clean and run for help if symptoms of infection pop up.

 

[Brer Shay]

Yes, infection is the primary concern because of how many things hands touch. There is also concern with fingers because of the amount of nerve endings and loss of sensation of improperly healed or scarred skin. If I were in your place, I'd put out the money for the urgent care. I've had both 2nd and 3rd degree burns in the kitchen and I totally see the difference in the ones I've gotten treated correctly. There is a silver compound the doc can prescribe that does wonders for healing and preventing scarring.

 

[pens4821]

I personally wouldn't rather much. I work in a restaurant and have burned my hands/fingers many many times, and seen others with some pretty bad grease burns. Usually hurt for a while, but never any issues. You can buy something to soothe it if you want, but that really doesn't work for that long. That is more a less for when it first happens IMO.

 

[AmyAnne]

Seriously???
Why is there any question about that?
Do you not touch hundreds of surfaces everyday?
Door knobs and railings, shopping cart handles, etc. touched by many other people.
Food preparation.
Bathrooming... I hope details aren't needed for that one.

Okay, I see your point, but I think my hand is going to be out of commission for at least a few days. And I will bandage it.

 

[bearloch]

I did that as well a while ago and I have a friend whos a nurse did the aloe vera thing but one burn was on knuckle and that did not heal well so if your burns are on moving joints go to doc if not you will be fine... good luck!

 

[jmunutt]

I did the same thing by taking a Dutch oven out of a 450 degree oven with no mitts. I did go to urgent care. They soaked my hands in cold water and referred me to a plastic surgeon. I had huge blisters on my thumbs, index fingers and ring fingers. The plastic surgeon said to let them heal and try not to let them pop. Infection is a big concern along with all of the nerves in your fingers. Think about how much you do with your hands. The primary care physician said I should expect sun sensitivity and scarring. By going to the plastic surgeon (who did not want me to use the silver cream the primary recommended), I followed his instructions by not letting the blisters pop and using Palmers Cocoa and Vitamin E cream, I have no scarring on my hands.

I did not use bandages on my hands during that time.

 

[AmyAnne]

I will wait and see how it is tomorrow. I have been soaking it in cool water for almost five hours, and it still is very painful if I take it out. I am curious how much sleep I am going to get tonight.

I did put a wet cloth around the fingers immediately, but I didn't start soaing it until about 45 minutes after - I was afraid one of the kids or cats would step on a shard of glass, so cleaning up the mess was my first focus.

 

[cjstarr]

I will wait and see how it is tomorrow. I have been soaking it in cool water for almost five hours, and it still is very painful if I take it out. I am curious how much sleep I am going to get tonight.

I did put a wet cloth around the fingers immediately, but I didn't start soaing it until about 45 minutes after - I was afraid one of the kids or cats would step on a shard of glass, so cleaning up the mess was my first focus.

Message Sent!!!

 

[seashoreCM]

When the blisters pop you have the danger of infection.

 

[lilmrsellis]

This sounds TOTALLY stupid, but wrap it in aluminum foil. I had a steam burn the length of my finger. The pain was so excruciating if I didn't have it in water that I couldn't even think. I kept reading that as a remedy online, so I decided to try it. I mean it couldn't get worse, right? Sure enough, within 30 minutes or so it quit hurting completely. I had a huge, nasty blister, but no pain. I swear by it now. My 3 year old gets jealous of my "sparkly finger." Lol!

 

[heyca]

My son burned his hand when he was 3, at his grammy's, put his flat palm on a hot burner of a flat top stove. I just called to see what his ped suggested for pain relief but she insisted I bring him in. She said with a burn on the hand like that the risk of contracture (from scarring, I guess?) is really a big risk? Maybe this is mostly a risk for kids? Luckily his was just the flat palm and didn't involve ANY of the webbing of his fingers...interestingly enough she actually popped the blisters, applied antibiotic ointment and it healed perfectly! I think they always say seek medical treatment if there's any chance you may need it. Not saying your hand will contracture, just maybe this is a reason they advise medical care?

 

[Marionnette]

A. In the short term, infection is a concern.

B. In the long term, scarring that can lead to limited use of your hand.

There's a reason you need to see a doctor. No one in an online Disney fan community is qualified to diagnose and treat your problem over the internet. If your primary care doctor doesn't have weekend hours, then go to the ER or an urgent care center. Have it looked at before it becomes a problem and don't rely on folklore and home remedies.

 

[Allison]

A. In the short term, infection is a concern.

B. In the long term, scarring that can lead to limited use of your hand.

There's a reason you need to see a doctor. No one in an online Disney fan community is qualified to diagnose and treat your problem over the internet. If your primary care doctor doesn't have weekend hours, then go to the ER or an urgent care center. Have it looked at before it becomes a problem and don't rely on folklore and home remedies.

This a 100 times over.

 

[dcfromva]

I'm wondering how the OP is doing (and if she went to see a Dr.). In any case, I hope she is feeling better today.