Treating A Hot Pot Burn: Quick Response For Effective Healing

Burns from hot pots can be extremely painful and distressing. It's important to act quickly to minimise damage and promote healing. First, you should carefully remove your hand from the hot pot and protect it from further heat exposure. Then, determine the severity of the burn. First-degree burns are mild and cause redness, pain and mild swelling. Second-degree burns affect the lower layers of skin, causing intense pain, swelling and blistering. Third-degree burns affect deeper tissues and can cause nerve damage. For first-degree burns, cool the burn under running water for 10-15 minutes or until the pain subsides. Apply a cool, damp cloth if running water is not available. For second and third-degree burns, seek medical assistance.

Cool the burn with water or a damp cloth

If you've suffered a burn from a hot pot, it's important to act quickly to cool the burn. The first step is to run the burned area under cool or cold water for at least 10 minutes, or until the pain subsides. If you can't run it under a tap, then soak the burn in a bowl of cool water or apply a cool, wet compress. The water should be between 2°C and 15°C, and preferably drinkable to reduce the risk of infection. Do not use ice or very cold water, as this can further damage the tissue and cause hypothermia.

While you are cooling the burn, call emergency services if you think the burn is serious, especially if it is a baby or child who has been burned. If clothing is stuck to the burn, do not try to remove it as this may cause further damage. However, you can carefully remove any jewellery or watches from the burned area before it starts to swell.

Once the burn has been cooled, you can apply a moisturising lotion such as aloe vera, or petroleum jelly, and cover the burn with a non-stick, sterile bandage. Do not apply ointments, butter, or toothpaste to the burn, as these may cause an infection. Bandaging the burn will keep air off the area, reduce pain, and protect the skin.

Even if the burn seems minor, it's important to seek medical attention if it hasn't healed within two weeks or if it is accompanied by other symptoms. Burns can be extremely painful and damaging, and proper first aid is crucial to reducing the risk of serious complications.

Remove tight items from the burned area

If you've burned yourself on a hot pot, it's important to act quickly to minimise damage and promote quick healing. After carefully removing your hand from the hot pot, protecting it with a towel or oven mitt, and assessing the severity of the burn, you should remove any tight items from the burned area.

The burned area may swell, so it's important to remove any tight items, such as rings or clothing, from the affected area as quickly as possible. This will help to prevent further damage and promote healing. It is crucial to act fast when treating a burn, and removing constrictive items from the burned area is an important step in the process.

If the burn is severe or covers a large area of the body, it is important to seek medical assistance. Additionally, if there are signs of infection, such as oozing, increased pain, redness, or swelling, medical attention should be sought.

By following these steps and seeking medical help when needed, you can effectively manage burn injuries and promote healing.

Don't break blisters

It's important to not break blisters that form after a burn. Blisters are a bubble of clear fluid called serum that forms under the skin as the body's way of protecting a burned area. The fluid contains proteins and other components that promote wound healing. Breaking blisters can slow down the healing process and make the burn more prone to infection.

If a blister breaks on its own, peel off the dead skin and keep the area clean and covered. Wash the area gently with mild soap and cool water, and apply a petroleum-based ointment. Wrap the area loosely with a sterile, non-stick gauze bandage and take over-the-counter medication for pain or inflammation. Watch for signs of infection, such as white or yellow drainage, swelling, or red and hot-looking skin, and seek medical attention if these occur.

Additionally, it's important to keep the burn moisturized with water-based lotions or aloe vera, and to protect it from the sun. Keep the area covered with cotton clothing and use sunscreen with a high SPF when outdoors.

Apply an antibiotic ointment

After cooling the burn, cleaning it with mild soap and water, and drying the area, you can apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment to the burn. This will help to keep your skin safe from bacteria and avoid infection. Antibiotic ointments also offer skin protection and create a barrier so that any dressing you apply afterward doesn't stick to the wound.

NEOSPORIN® Burn Relief antibiotic ointment is one such product that can be used to protect against infections and relieve minor burn pain. It contains bacitracin zinc, neomycin sulfate, and polymyxin B sulfate as active ingredients, which are all antibiotics. You can apply the ointment two to three times per day or anytime you change your dressing.

It's important to note that you should not apply topical antibiotics to first-degree burns. Instead, you can use petroleum jelly two to three times daily.

Bandage the burn

Bandaging a burn is an important step in the healing process. It keeps air off the wound, reduces pain, and protects the skin. Here are some detailed instructions on how to bandage a burn effectively:

Choose the Right Bandage Materials:

Select a sterile, non-stick, and non-adherent gauze bandage. Avoid using fluffy cotton, as it can stick to the wound and cause further irritation. Make sure you have medical tape to secure the bandage in place.

Prepare the Burned Area:

Before bandaging, ensure that the burn has been properly cooled and cleaned. Run cool water over the burn or apply cold, wet compresses for about 10 minutes to reduce pain and swelling. Gently clean the area with mild soap and cool water, being careful not to break any blisters, as they help prevent infection. Pat the area dry with a clean towel or gauze.

Apply a Thin Layer of Ointment:

Consider applying a thin layer of antibiotic ointment or petroleum jelly to the burn. This will help protect against infection and promote healing. Do not spread the ointment directly on the burn, use a sterile tool, such as a tongue depressor, to apply it to the gauze.

Cover the Burn:

Place the sterile gauze over the burn, touching only the edges of the gauze to the skin. Ensure that the gauze is large enough to cover the entire burned area. If blisters have formed, let them heal on their own while keeping them covered.

Secure the Bandage:

Hold the dressing in place by wrapping a sterile gauze roll over the burn. Start wrapping from the end farthest away from the body, and work your way towards the centre. Secure the bandage with medical tape, making sure not to wrap it too tightly to avoid restricting blood flow.

Change the Bandage Regularly:

It is important to change the bandage daily or as directed by a healthcare professional. This helps keep the wound clean, promotes healing, and prevents infection. Always wash your hands before and after changing the bandage to maintain proper hygiene.

Manage Pain:

If needed, give yourself or your child a recommended over-the-counter pain reliever, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, about 30 minutes before changing the bandage to help manage any discomfort.

Protect the Healed Skin:

Even after the burn has healed, continue to protect the area. Keep the skin moisturised with a non-perfumed lotion containing cocoa butter, aloe, or lanolin. Apply sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 when going outdoors to prevent further damage and scarring.

Frequently asked questions