Is it possible to wet a burn with water?

Is it possible to swim with a burn (more details in the description)

Drying the wound with a weeping burn can be done by applying a loose sterile gauze bandage (to allow the burn wound to “breathe”). The wound itself should be treated with an antiseptic preparation against burns in the form of an ointment or spray. After treatment, apply crushed streptocide powder to the clean burn area and carefully cover with a gauze bandage. A weeping burn can also be treated openly, that is, apply medications to the wound without covering it with a bandage until moisture stops accumulating. When applying any medications from the wound, it is necessary to carefully remove excess moisture. This can be done using a sterile swab or folded bandage. Burn cream or ointment can then be applied to the affected area. Rubbing the cream is not required, as it is self-absorbed. It is necessary to lubricate not only the surface of the immediate lesion, but also nearby tissues, this will contribute to an additional antiseptic and restorative effect. Within five minutes the cream is absorbed into the affected tissue. You can repeat the cream application procedure three or five times. Lubrication of weeping burns must be done according to this scheme several times a day. If, after lubricating a weeping burn, you feel a burning sensation or notice any external manifestations - for example, redness of the skin - do not worry, this means that the medications are actively absorbed into the damaged layers of the skin.

Is it possible to wash with a 2nd degree burn if 1 week has passed?

blblblbl 8 (115670)815115 5 years

It is better not to wet the burn. Then the bandages are wet, he starts to fume, he can’t breathe, and infection can occur. Wash yourself with a damp sponge and towel. And just for a burn... everything should be sterile. And the water is not that clean. Burns become infected very easily. Immunity there is reduced. In principle, you can wash yourself carefully. Then treat the wound again and apply a new dressing immediately.

night vulf7 (95318)720111 5 years

barwumen 1 (159)1824 5 years

only if the burn has crusted over.

evilempire 6 (17053)2616 5 years

1. Burn. (see inside) I had the same thing. My face was terribly swollen that I couldn’t even put on glasses. But I didn’t do anything, I just waited for it to go away on its own ((and sour cream, I’m guessing

will help ..

P.S. Just buy the one with the Christmas tree scent, others stink so much.

Category: First aid

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2nd degree burn: treatment, first aid

A 2nd degree burn is classified as a superficial injury, since the damage does not affect the germinal layer of the epidermis, but it must be treated immediately after injury. It is especially important to treat a 2nd degree burn after opening the bladder, since at this time an infection can enter the wound, which will cause serious complications.

Whether a person needs to be hospitalized for a 2nd degree burn depends on the area of ​​the wound and the age of the victim. Typically, an adult whose burn occupies less than one percent of the entire surface of the skin can be treated at home after medical consultation, while for a child or an elderly person a damage of this size is more dangerous. Much depends on the location of the wound. More serious are considered 2nd degree burns of the face, hands, feet, inner thighs and genitals.

Classification and reasons

If a 2nd degree burn occurs, treatment depends on the cause of the injury. There are four types of burns:

1. Most often, 2nd degree burns are thermal; they occur from high temperature. Damage may occur upon contact with boiling water, steam, fire, or a hot object. Exposure to hot oil can cause a deeper burn than water at the same temperature. The reason for this is the film that the oil creates on the surface of the skin.
2. Under the influence of acids, alkalis or salts of heavy metals, you can get a 2nd degree chemical burn, although more often chemicals lead to deeper damage. Wounds from contact with acids are considered easier, since these substances instantly coagulate the protein, forming a crust on the wound that prevents further penetration of the acid.
3. If you handle electrical appliances incorrectly, especially faulty ones, you can get an electrical burn. This type of burn also occurs when struck by lightning. Electric shock rarely causes second-degree burns; they are usually deeper, but have a small area. Such wounds appear simultaneously in two opposite places - where the charge entered and where it came out.
4. When there is high ultraviolet radiation or radiation, a radiation burn occurs. The most common cause of this type is sun exposure; sunburn damage is almost never above second degree. If the cause is radiation, then such wounds heal much more slowly. This is due to the fact that irradiated skin regenerates poorly, and radiation negatively affects the functioning of internal organs.

Read also: How can you treat burns with blisters at home?

There is also a mixed type, which is caused by several factors at once, but this is an extremely rare occurrence.

Symptoms and mechanism of second degree burns

When such injuries occur, the outermost layer of skin is torn away, forming blisters that are filled with fluid inside. The skin around the injury becomes red and swollen, and the person feels severe pain. The mechanism for the occurrence of burns is as follows:

1. at the moment of injury, the capillaries are intensely filled with blood, which leads to skin hyperemia;
2. blood stagnation causes local edema;
3. the liquid begins to emerge into the upper layer of the epidermis;
4. the connection between the basal and overlying layers of skin is disrupted;
5. the epidermis begins to peel off;
6. serous exudate occurs;
7. a blister appears.

Initially, the contents of the blisters are transparent, but if there is bleeding, they may contain blood clots. At the end of the first day, leukocytes begin to arrive at the wound area, which makes the liquid yellowish. If an infection has joined the wound, the contents of the blisters will be green.

The inflammation goes away on the fourth day after receiving the burn. The skin begins to regenerate on the fifth day. Cells of the damaged layer begin to actively divide, which contributes to scarring. After about two weeks, you can see the new pink epithelium, which very slowly takes on the color of healthy skin. Such damage heals without leaving scars.

First aid for 2nd degree burns

Having received such damage, a person immediately begins to think about what to do, especially if a child has a 2nd degree burn. Even if outpatient treatment is planned, the wound should be shown to a doctor, and before the ambulance arrives, first aid must be provided to the victim. It consists of the following steps:

1. Eliminate contact with the cause of the burn.
2. Cool the burned surface under cool water for at least ten minutes. This will help relieve pain, lead to spasm of blood vessels and nerve endings, and also reduce the risk of large blisters.
3. Apply an antiseptic bandage to the damaged area, or a regular dry bandage or clean cloth.
4. Give the victim an anesthetic drug according to the instructions for use.

While waiting for an ambulance, there are certain things you should not do if you have a burn, such as tearing off clothes or popping blisters.

If there is clothing at the wound site, tearing it off can damage healthy skin. Things must be carefully cut off, leaving what is stuck on the wound. Opening the blisters on your own and cleaning the damage from foreign objects or contaminants can cause the wound to become infected. All manipulations directly with the wounded surface should be carried out by a doctor.

The doctors who come to the call will examine the wound, and if it turns out to be not serious, the patient is given recommendations for care, and he is treated at home. If burns occur in children under twelve years of age, if the damage is larger in area than the victim’s palm, and also if the face, neck, genitals and mucous membranes are affected, then the victim must be hospitalized.

Read also: What to do if you are burned by hot pepper

Treatment of second degree burns

Treatment of 2nd degree burns begins with opening the blisters. If they are small and there are few of them, then there is no need for an autopsy. After a few days, they will burst on their own, but the skin will remain and will protect the wound from infection. Of course, if there are even small blisters, then bandages with special healing preparations should be used.

The doctor punctures large blisters and releases their contents. Treatment of the wound is carried out with sterile instruments. After the blister is punctured, the doctor gently presses on it, releasing all the exudate. Exfoliated skin is trimmed carefully, as if left, fluid will accumulate under it, which can cause suppuration. Ointments that have an antibacterial effect are applied under the bandage.

If a large blister opens on its own, then the damaged area is treated with peroxide, the remains of the blister are cut off, and a bandage with antibacterial and healing ointment is applied to the surface of the wound.

Ointments for the treatment of 2nd degree burns

Treatment of a 2nd degree burn after opening the bladder should consist of the use of ointments that have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and restorative effects. How to treat a 2nd degree burn with medication should be decided by the doctor. He may prescribe the following ointments:

1. Levomekol. Has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect. The ointment is applied directly to the site of injury or the bandage is soaked in it. The product is used once a day.
2. Levosin. The ointment has a good healing effect and protects against bacteria, since it contains several antiseptic components.
3. Gentamicin ointment. The drug works well in cases where infection has occurred. It is necessary to apply bandages with this ointment in the morning and evening.
4. Sulfagin. This ointment contains silver sulfadiazine, which kills germs. Despite its positive effect on a burn wound, the drug has many contraindications and is not used for treatment in young children, pregnant women, or patients with liver problems.

Along with local treatment, the patient must take analgesics to reduce pain, as well as antihistamines to prevent allergic reactions. With proper care, especially after the doctor opens the bladder, recovery occurs in about two weeks.

Treatment of 2nd degree burns after opening a blister at home Link to main publication

Doctor's recommendations for a 2nd degree burn: what can and cannot be done?

Dear friends, good afternoon. Well, who among us has not been burned at home by boiling water or electric shock? Often the burns are minor, but there are more severe cases.

A 2nd degree burn is very dangerous, often due to the fact that victims try to treat it on their own, without first consulting a doctor. However, remember that this is not mild thermal damage.

I wonder what should be done in case of such an injury? Then read the article carefully.

Symptoms of skin burns

Burns can be thermal, chemical, electrical, or radiation. In everyday life, the first two types of injuries of the 2nd degree are in the lead, which are characterized by:

1. redness of the epidermis;
2. swelling in the affected area;
3. the appearance of a blister with liquid inside.

As you read the article, you will see photos of 2nd degree burns.

When should you consult a doctor?

If you have a lot of blisters and they are all large, then it is better to consult a doctor. When more than 10% of the skin is injured, the victim will require hospitalization.

Also, do not delay visiting a doctor if dirt, wood chips and soil residues get into the wound. In this case, the damaged area must be properly treated, and measures against tetanus must be taken.

When a burn occurs in a child (especially a newborn or infant), you should immediately call an ambulance. The same recommendation applies to damage to the intimate area (in children and adults), as well as the face.

What can you do after an injury?

First aid in case of thermal or chemical burns is as follows:

1. Try to make sure that the affected area of ​​the skin does not touch shoes, clothing, straps, chains and other things. This will help avoid infection.
2. It is necessary to cool the injured area with a damp cloth or running water.
3. If you have an anti-burn spray or ointment, apply it to your skin.

What is absolutely forbidden to do?

For 2nd and 3rd degree burns, it is prohibited:

1. Apply ice to the affected area;
2. Touch the burn with your hands and open the blisters yourself;
3. Cover the damaged area with various oils, dairy products, iodine, brilliant green, aloe, and alcohol-containing products.

If blisters with serous fluid form, they must be opened only a couple of days after the injury. Let me remind you that if you do not have experience, it is better to do this under the supervision of a doctor.

The skin is treated with a weak solution of manganese or chlorhexedine, and Levomekol or Panthenol ointment is used as a healing agent. Try to protect the burn site so that the bubble does not burst on its own and infection does not occur.

If the bubbles are small, you can try to open them yourself. First, apply an antiseptic to the affected area, then take a sterile needle, pierce the bubble, blot the liquid with a clean napkin and remove the remaining film with tweezers. After this procedure, apply antimicrobial ointment.

How to recover after a burn?

Three factors are considered main:

1. immediate cessation of traumatic effects;
2. exclusion of possible infection;
3. help in skin regeneration.

To achieve the last point, you need to protect the skin from drying out, allow it to breathe and apply a non-traumatic bandage.

A blister after burns heals according to the following scenario:

1. During the purulent-necrotic stage, the fluid in the bladder becomes cloudy, forming pus. The skin around the blister becomes slightly inflamed, and the cells at the burn site die. With proper therapy, the skin will gradually be cleared of dead cells.
2. During the granulation stage, new cells begin to form. The main thing is not to re-infect the wound so that stage 1 does not return.
3. During the last stage - epithelization, the wound is covered with new skin, but it still needs time to recover to its normal appearance. Try not to let the area become dry, as the cracks can cause infection and leave you with scars.

Treating burns at home

You can treat yourself for 1st and 2nd degree burns. Change sterile bandages every day, treating the surface of the wound with special anti-burn ointments, such as Rescuer, Panthenol, Olazol, Dermazin, syntomycin, Solcoseryl.

You can cover the edges of the wound with brilliant green or iodine. If the bandage has dried out, moisten it with a 3% peroxide solution or miramistin, then carefully remove it by the edges.

It is necessary to choose the right medicine not only in composition, but also in consistency. Anti-burn therapy does not involve the use of fatty and thick substances.

Their active substances are released very slowly, which is why they poorly penetrate into tissues. Lipophilic ingredients interfere with the outflow of serous fluid, clogging the wound.

Opt for a hydrophilic product that can retain moisture.

Such medications do not allow dehydration, penetrate deeply and evenly into tissues, binding toxic components.

What to do if the wound becomes inflamed?

If you treat a burn of 2nd degree or higher incorrectly, you can get inflammation. This occurs due to the penetration of a viral or bacterial infection into the tissue. How long does it take for a wound like this to heal?

If you do not stop the inflammatory process in time, tissue regeneration will take months instead of two weeks.

If you notice that the wound has begun to fester, then change all previously used medications to antiseptics (furacilin or chlorogenxedine).

At the final stage, provided there is no pus, you can no longer bandage the wound, treating it with film-forming aerosols: Lifusol, Furoplast, Akutol, Iodvinizol, Acrylacept.

The film will form a protective barrier that prevents infection.

An injured person who hopes that the wound after a skin burn will go away on its own is at great risk. If therapy is carried out incorrectly, this can lead to infection and the recovery process will take a long time. If you are still treating yourself at home, then if there is any suspicion of wound suppuration, consult a doctor.

I hope you are being treated correctly and will not experience any complications. I advise you to subscribe to updates on our website and share interesting and useful articles on social networks with your friends. Perhaps someone also needs help. Be healthy!

Author of the article: Victoria Omelchenko (dermatologist)

Careless handling of hot liquids, chemicals, or excessive exposure to the sun can cause skin burns. People undergoing treatment are often interested in whether contact with water of the affected surface is permissible, and whether it is possible to swim in the sea if the skin is burned.

We will answer these questions in the article, and also tell you what degrees of injury severity are allowed to swim in the sea, and in which cases you should stop contact with water.

Determining the degree of radiation injury

All burns are divided into several categories. They are:

1. thermal (in contact with hot liquid or objects);
2. chemical (if reagents come into contact with the skin);
3. radiation (sunburn, radiation);
4. electrical (in case of electric shock).

A person can be injured in many ways. The degree of burns depends on the time of contact with the aggressive component, as well as on whether first aid was provided. The following degrees are distinguished:

1. Grade 1 is characterized by redness of the skin, a burning sensation, and mild pain. After a sunburn, this degree often occurs. Even if left untreated, it resolves within a short period of time;
2. at grade 2, tissue swelling and pain become more pronounced. The skin becomes covered with blisters, which are prohibited from opening on your own. At this stage, a medical consultation is required to prescribe the correct treatment;
3. Grade 3 severity is accompanied by severe damage to the surface. Not only the skin suffers, but also the muscles and sometimes the bones. Urgent hospitalization of the victim and a long course of rehabilitation therapy are required.

Is it possible to swim in the sea if you have a sunburn?

In most cases, sea water is harmless for sun damage. However, the answer to the question of whether you can wash yourself if you have a sunburn depends on a number of factors. The most important thing is to determine the severity of the injuries received.

At the first stage, sea bathing is not prohibited. An exception is made only in cases where the water is heavily polluted. In case of the second degree of severity, it is better to refuse swimming, as it can provoke additional complications. At the third stage, any contact with sea water is strictly prohibited.

If you are not afraid and are ready to take risks, then it is worth familiarizing yourself with the list of potential dangers for those who are faced with skin damage:

1. on public beaches there is an increased risk of infection. This is not so dangerous with the 1st degree of damage, but swimming with a burn with blisters is already prohibited;
2. being at sea, you risk worsening the condition, since the skin receives additional exposure to ultraviolet radiation, which is converted faster in water;
3. Salt water causes irritation, causing healing to take longer.

If the wound heals quickly and you are sure that bathing will not hurt, then follow some recommendations. Choose to visit the beach only at certain times when the sun is inactive. It is usually not recommended to sunbathe and swim between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. At this time the sun is at its maximum activity.

It is also necessary to use a water-resistant sunscreen with a protection factor of at least 30 SPF (preferably 50). It must be applied to the skin after each entry into the sea.

Drug therapy

The recovery course is selected depending on the severity of the injury. Typically, drug treatment includes antiseptic surface treatments, antibacterial drugs, healing ointments, and scar-preventing agents. Also, after consultation with a doctor, it is permissible to use traditional methods.

The list of medications with proven effectiveness that can reduce the aggressive effects of sea water includes the following drugs:

1. Panthenol. The product contains dexpanthenol, a substance that accelerates regeneration processes and fights inflammation. Available in the form of an ointment or spray, applied several times a day;
2. Olazol is a spray that combines antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and healing properties. When applied, tissue restoration occurs quickly;
3. Solcoseryl is a drug that eliminates burn symptoms and also fights pain.

You should not use the funds thoughtlessly. Trust the doctor's opinion and use the medications he prescribes.

Preventive actions

It is easier to prevent damage from occurring than to treat it later. To avoid sunburn and swim in the sea without thinking about the possible risks, follow these simple recommendations:

1. When going outside in sunny weather, use sunscreen. The level of protection depends on the sensitivity of the skin and whether it is dark or pale. Pale-skinned people require a product with the maximum level of protection. Read the instructions and treat the surface as often as indicated therein;
2. If you have not yet tanned, do not rush to stand in direct sunlight. To begin with, stay in the shade until the skin gets used to the irradiation and darkens a couple of tones;
3. During your first few days at sea, try not to spend too much time in the water. It enhances the effect of ultraviolet radiation, water droplets act like lenses on the skin, which provokes more serious damage;
4. Avoid visiting the beach during periods of maximum solar activity. This is the period from 11 to 4 pm. Spend this time indoors.

To avoid injury, white-skinned people are recommended to start visiting a solarium a few days before going to the seaside. Gradually increase the exposure time to allow the skin to adapt to ultraviolet radiation.

Sunburns go away quickly in most cases, but if the injuries are severe, exposure to salty sea water should be limited. If you want to avoid burns, follow simple recommendations and don’t rush to get a bronze tan in a couple of days.

Of course, it is better to find out from your treating specialist whether it is possible to wet the burn. However, for minor injuries, patients rarely go to the doctor, self-medicating at home. The answer to this exciting question depends on the degree of damage, complications encountered and the general condition of the patient.

Is it possible to wet a burn when providing first aid?

Everyone has experienced the painful and uncomfortable symptoms of such injuries at least once. This can happen for various reasons: boiling water, sunlight, improper handling of chemicals and much more.

As first aid, in most cases it is recommended to place the burned area of ​​skin under cold water or apply ice to relieve pain, prevent swelling, and reduce possible complications.

Important! You can wet the burn in the first minutes after injury to provide emergency assistance, eliminate painful symptoms and reduce the affected area.

For all types of skin lesions (thermal, radiation, solar, etc.), cold liquid helps prevent deeper injuries. For chemical wounds, water can be used to wash away the remaining reagents from the damaged areas. But there is an exception - with chemical exposure to lime, it is necessary to limit the contact of the burned area with water, otherwise the localization may expand.

Is it possible to wet the burn during further treatment?

In case of the formation of open wounds or blisters, experts always recommend washing the burned area with an antiseptic solution of Chlorgeskisin, Furacilin, Miramistin, in order to prevent infection, but it is not recommended to wet the burned area with water.

Important! You can wash a burn wound if there is a first degree injury, when the integrity of the skin is not compromised, infection is unlikely, so you are allowed to wash without restrictions.

When should you stop contact with water?

Is it possible to wash with burns, what to do with an open wound? Of course, regardless of the injury, you cannot forget about the rules of the hyena. But during bathing, the burned surface of the skin must be protected from moisture. Experts advise not to use water at all in case of any significant pathologies of the skin, regardless of the factor that caused the damage. This can increase complications, because the burn site becomes very easily infected, and there are various pathogenic microorganisms in the water.

Is it possible to wash a burn wound if blisters form? When fluid-filled blisters appear on the skin, constant contact with water can cause infection and inflammation. It is especially worth minimizing it when the blisters begin to burst and open; open wounds should be covered with a sterile bandage.

Severe injuries and extensive lesions of the skin should also not be subjected to systematic contact with water. Constant dampness on the surface of the injured area will interfere with healing, healing of the open wound, and may even cause suppuration in the future.

Is it possible to wet a burn? It is always better to ask your doctor; much depends on the area, degree and nature of the lesion. Almost any thermal or chemical injury can be washed with cold running water to prevent deep damage and complications when providing first aid. But in the future, you should not wash the burn wound; it is better to keep it open and dry, and if necessary, wet it with antiseptic solutions.