Ouch! Now What? – Quick Guide To Recovering From Touching A Hot Pot

Touching a hot pot can be extremely painful and frightening, and it's important to act quickly to minimise damage and promote healing. The first thing to do is to remove your hand from the hot pot, protecting it with a towel or oven mitts. Then, determine the severity of the burn. If it is a first-degree burn, characterised by redness, pain, and swelling, cool the burn immediately with water or a damp cloth. For second-degree burns, which affect the layers of skin beneath the epidermis and cause intense pain, swelling, and blistering, you may need to seek medical assistance. Third-degree burns impact all layers of the skin and may appear white, and nerve damage may occur. For these, it is imperative to seek emergency medical help.

Place the burn under cool running water for 10-15 minutes

If you've burnt your hand on a hot pot, it's important to act quickly to minimise damage and promote healing. If the burn is a first-degree burn, characterised by redness, pain, and swelling, you can relieve the pain by placing your hand under cool running water for about 10-15 minutes. The water should be a little colder than room temperature.

This method of cooling the burn will help to prevent deeper tissue damage. If you don't have access to cool running water, an alternative is to place a clean, cool, damp cloth over the burn.

After cooling the burn, you can gently clean it with mild soap and cool water, taking care not to scrub or irritate the skin. Pat the area dry with a clean towel or sterile gauze, then protect the burn from infection by applying a sterile, non-stick dressing or a clean cloth. Avoid using adhesive bandages directly on the burn as they can adhere to the wound and cause further damage.

You can manage pain with over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen sodium. Applying aloe vera gel or other pain relief gels may also provide temporary relief. It is important to note that you should not apply butter to the burn, as it retains heat and could be contaminated with bacteria.

If the burn is more severe or shows signs of infection, such as oozing, increased pain, redness, or swelling, seek medical assistance.

Remove tight items from the affected area

If you've touched a hot pot, it's important to act quickly to minimise damage and promote quick healing.

One of the first things you should do is remove any tight items from the affected area. This is because the burned area may swell, so removing rings, watches, or tight clothing can prevent further pain and damage.

If you are wearing multiple layers of clothing, carefully remove the layers that are directly touching or constricting the burned area. It is important to act quickly but also carefully to avoid causing further damage or pain.

If the burned area is on your hand or wrist, remove any rings or bracelets. If the burn is on your neck or head, take off any tight necklaces, headbands, or scarves. For burns on the arms or legs, take off any tight clothing, such as sleeves or socks, that may be constricting the area.

In addition to removing tight items, you should also protect the burned area from further heat exposure. Use a towel or oven mitts to handle the affected area and avoid using ice or cold water to cool the burn, as this can worsen the damage.

Do not break blisters

If you've touched a hot pot, acting quickly is key to minimising damage and promoting quick healing. You should carefully remove your hand from the hot pot or pan and protect your hand from additional heat exposure by using a towel or oven mitts.

Burns can be categorised into three types: first-degree, second-degree, and third-degree. A second-degree burn affects the layers of skin beneath the epidermis and can result in intense pain, swelling, and blistering. If you have blisters from a burn, it's important not to break them.

Blisters are small pockets of fluid that form in the upper layers of skin after it has been damaged. They can develop anywhere on the body but are most common on the hands and feet. Most blisters are filled with a clear fluid that cushions the tissue underneath, protecting it from further damage and allowing it to heal.

• The fluid inside the blister provides a natural barrier to infection. Breaking the blister can increase the risk of infection and slow down the healing process.
• The unbroken skin over the blister helps protect the new skin that is growing underneath. Allowing the skin to peel off naturally after the underlying skin has healed ensures a lower risk of infection and faster healing.
• If a blister does break, it is important to properly clean and cover the area to prevent infection. Breaking the blister can make it more difficult for the wound to heal and increase the risk of scarring.
• Breaking blisters can cause pain and discomfort. Leaving them intact helps to minimise pain and allows the fluid to be reabsorbed by the body as the skin heals.
• Larger blisters may require medical attention and should not be broken. A healthcare provider can assess the severity of the burn and determine if the blister needs to be drained under sterile conditions.

Apply a loose dressing to keep the wound clean

After touching a hot pot, it is important to act quickly to minimise damage and promote quick healing. The first step is to carefully remove your hand from the hot surface, protecting it with a towel or oven mitts. Then, assess the severity of the burn.

If you have a first-degree burn, characterised by redness, pain, and swelling, you should run your hand under cool water for 10-15 minutes or apply a clean, cool, damp cloth. For second-degree burns, which present with intense pain, swelling, and blistering, you should follow the same initial cooling step.

Once the burn has cooled, gently clean it with mild soap and cool water, being careful not to scrub or irritate the skin. Pat the area dry with a clean towel or sterile gauze.

To keep the wound clean and protected, apply a loose dressing. Start by covering the burn with a sterile, non-stick, or non-adherent dressing, such as a hydrocolloid dressing or a piece of gauze. This will protect any open wounds and keep the area free from bacteria. Do not apply adhesive bandages directly to the burn, as they can adhere to the wound and cause further damage. Instead, secure the dressing in place by wrapping a sterile gauze roll over it, starting from the end farthest from the body and working your way up. Ensure you do not wrap the limb too tightly, as this can restrict blood flow.

Change the dressing daily to promote healing and prevent infection. When changing the dressing, wash your hands and set up your supplies within easy reach. Remove the old dressing, loosening it with a few drops of water if necessary. Check the old dressing for signs of infection, such as discoloured drainage or a foul smell. Re-wash your hands, then gently clean the burn area with mild soap and water, removing any loose skin or crusting. Rinse and pat the area dry.

After cleaning, cover any open burn areas with a non-adherent dressing, followed by a layer of dry sterile gauze. Secure the dressing with a gauze roll and tape, taking care not to wrap too tightly. Finally, wash your hands again and put away all unused supplies in a clean, dry place.

Take an over-the-counter pain reliever

If you've touched a hot pot, the first thing to do is to carefully remove your hand from the pot, protecting it with a towel or oven mitts. Do not use ice or cold water to cool the burn. If you have a first-degree burn (redness, pain, and swelling of the skin), you can run your hand under cool water for 10-15 minutes to relieve the pain.

If you are experiencing pain, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as acetaminophen (paracetamol) or a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) like ibuprofen or naproxen. These medications are not addictive and are effective for treating muscle pain. However, NSAIDs should only be used under the supervision of a healthcare professional as long-term use may cause serious side effects.

It is important to note that if you are experiencing a lot of pain, even if you think your burn is minor, it is recommended to call your doctor or seek professional treatment at an emergency clinic.

Frequently asked questions