Treating Hand Burns: Quick Response To Hot Pan Accidents

Burns are a common kitchen injury, and they can be extremely painful. It's important to know how to minimise damage and promote quick healing. If you act quickly and take the right steps, burn injuries can be effectively managed at home. Here are some tips on how to treat a burn on your hand from a hot pan.

Run the burn under cool water for 10-15 minutes

Running your burn under cool water is a crucial step in treating a burn injury. Here are some detailed instructions and information on why this is an essential step:

Temperature and Timing:

• The water should be cool, slightly colder than room temperature, and not extremely cold or icy.
• The ideal temperature range for the water is between 2°C and 15°C (35.6°F and 59°F).
• The burn should be held under running water for at least 10 to 15 minutes, or up to 20 minutes according to some sources, including the British Red Cross and emerging research from UC Davis Health.
• Start cooling the burn as soon as possible, ideally within 10 minutes of the injury, and continue until the pain subsides.

Benefits of Running Water:

• Running water is an effective way to dissipate thermal energy, stabilize blood vessels, reduce the release of pro-inflammatory chemicals, and positively influence cellular responses.
• It helps to quickly reduce pain, swelling, and the risk of scarring by cooling the burn.
• It is a simple, low-cost, and easily accessible method that can be performed by anyone without formal medical training.

Precautions:

• Do not use ice water or ice on the burn, as this can lead to hypothermia and potentially cause further damage to the skin.
• Avoid using a bowl of water, as it will warm up over time. Instead, use running water from a tap to maintain a consistent cool temperature.
• If you are in an area with non-drinkable tap water, use bottled water instead to reduce the risk of infection.

Remember to act fast and follow these instructions for minor burn treatment. If the burn is severe or there are signs of infection, seek medical attention immediately.

Remove rings or tight items from the area

If you've burnt your hand, it's important to act fast. Burns can cause swelling, so it's crucial to remove any tight items, such as rings, from the affected area as quickly as possible. Here's why:

Firstly, rings can restrict blood flow to the injured area, which is detrimental to the healing process. In severe cases of circumferential burns, where the burn wraps around a finger, leaving a ring on can even lead to the need for amputation if left untreated.

Secondly, as the burned area swells, a ring can become uncomfortably tight and dig into the skin, causing further pain and potentially cutting off circulation.

Thirdly, if the ring is made of a certain material, it can retain heat and cause further burning. For example, thermal injuries from wedding rings have been reported, where the ring transmits heat directly to the finger.

If the ring is difficult to remove due to swelling, there are several at-home methods you can try. These include:

• Using ice to constrict the blood vessels and reduce swelling
• Elevating your hand above your heart to allow fluid to drain from your fingers
• Lubricating the ring and finger with hand cream, petroleum jelly, soap, or Windex to help it slide off
• Twisting the ring while pulling the skin from above the ring to below it
• Using dental floss to compress your finger and allow the ring to slide over it

However, be cautious when attempting these methods. Do not leave dental floss on for too long, as it can cut off blood supply to your finger. Additionally, only apply lubricant to the ring, not your entire finger, as this can make it hard to grasp the ring.

If your ring still won't come off, seek emergency medical treatment.

Do not break blisters

If you have a burn on your hand from a hot pan, it's important to act fast. Place the burned area under running water—slightly cooler than room temperature—for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the pain eases. Alternatively, you can use a cool, clean, damp towel. The area may swell, so remove any tight items such as rings or clothing from the affected area.

Do not break a blister if it's bigger than your little fingernail. If the blister does break, clean it with mild soap and water, then apply an antibiotic ointment. Cover the area with a bandage or gauze.

It's important to keep the wound covered with a loose dressing to help it stay clean and decrease pain. You can also apply aloe vera gel or a moisturiser to provide temporary relief.

Do not put butter on the burn, as it retains heat and could be contaminated with bacteria.

Apply an antibiotic ointment

If a blister breaks, it is important to clean the wound with mild soap and water. After cleaning the wound, you should apply an antibiotic ointment to the affected area. This will help to prevent infection. Once you have applied the ointment, cover the burn with a bandage or gauze.

It is important to note that you should not apply an antibiotic ointment to an open wound. If a rash appears after applying the ointment, you should stop using it immediately.

There are many different types of antibiotic ointments available. Silver sulfadiazine (Silvadene) is a popular option and can be purchased over the counter without a prescription.

Cover the burn with a loose dressing

Covering a burn with a loose dressing is an important step in the healing process. It is crucial to keep the wound covered to help it stay clean and decrease pain. Here are some detailed instructions on how to cover a burn with a loose dressing:

Firstly, it is important to have the right supplies on hand. You will need sterile gauze, non-sterile gauze squares or clean washcloths, sterile and non-stick or non-adherent dressing, medical tape, and clean towels. It is also recommended to have a basin or pan of warm water nearby, as well as mild soap without perfume or artificial colouring.

Before beginning, wash your hands thoroughly. If you are assisting someone else, explain the steps you will be performing in simple, easy-to-understand language.

Next, remove any old dressing from the burn. If it is stuck to the skin, loosen it first with a few drops of warm water. Let the water sit on the bandage for a few seconds before gently removing the old dressing.

After removing the old dressing, inspect the wound for any signs of infection, such as discoloured drainage or a foul smell.

Once you have inspected the wound, wash your hands again. Then, gently wash the burned area with mild soap and water, using a clean washcloth or gauze squares. Remove any crusting or loose skin, and rinse thoroughly. It is normal for some bleeding to occur during this step.

After cleaning the wound, pat the area dry with a clean towel, washcloth, or gauze squares.

Now, you can begin to apply the new dressing. Cover all open burn areas with a non-stick or non-adherent dressing, touching only the edges of the dressing when placing it on the skin. Then, cover the area with dry, sterile gauze. Do not place dry gauze directly on burned areas that have not healed.

To secure the dressing, wrap a sterile gauze roll over the dressings, starting from the end farthest away from the body. Secure the gauze with medical tape, being careful not to wrap it too tightly to avoid reducing blood flow to the limb.

Finally, wash your hands again and put away all unused supplies in a clean, dry place.

It is important to change burn dressings regularly to promote healing and prevent infection. Dressings should be changed at least once a day, or every three to five days, depending on the severity of the burn.

Frequently asked questions