How do you know if a burn is an emergency?!
Question: How do you know if a burn is an emergency?
I put ice on it and then changed to very loose dry clothing. I have little two inch gauze bandages but they wouldn't come close to covering the area and spreading tape over the hurt skin to tape them together seems a bad idea. I would rather wait until my doctors urgent care clinic opens, in about 5 hours, to seek treatment.
I say this because one month ago I had surgery and developed a hospital acquired infection to antibiotic resistent nasty germs and now hospitals are not my favorite places. My surgery incisions are not quite healed yet and some of them are also in the burn area. So far no skin is missing, this is not some gaping open wound. It looks like a bad sun burn except for the fact it is raised around the edges and puffy. Can I do first aid at home for a few hours and just see my doc's PA for first aid in 5 hours? .It is throbbing and hurts pretty bad but I don't see peeling skin or anything horriffic. I keep telling myself it is like a sunburn. It normally wouldn't concern me but it is a much larger area than the usual burn you get on a finger or hand while cooking. It's all down my front.
Answers:
Your burn from your description is a first degree burn. You are treating the burn correctly by wearing loose clothing. First degree burns do not need professional medical attention but since you had surgery in that area, see your doctor in 5 hours. If it starts to ooze or blister, then you have a second degree burn which is more serious.
If your skin turns charred black or the area turns all white.. then call 911. But that's not your case so just see your doctor in 5 hours as it isn't urgent but you should just see the doctor just in case.
REPEAT: It is not a third degree burn so don't panic. Panic causes shock which can lead to death. So just stay call, chill out on the sofa, watch some TV, run burn area under cold water, and relax.
If its beyond 1st degree go to the doctor.
sounds like 3rd degree burns GO TO THE HOSPITAL!!!
1st degree not that bad just red
2nd degree is semi scarring if not treated immediately
3rd degree is puffy rosy bubbly and will lead to permanent scarring and need for replacement tissue often. NOT FUN.
as i said GOGOGO!!!
EDIT:
i read the second part and thought you said you DID have peeling and something that looked horrific
sorry for the confusion.
sounds like 1st or minor 2nd degree burns. in that case you should go to the hospital but NOT that much emergency.
1 - Ice on burns is NOT good. You should be standing under a cool shower for at least 10 mins.
#2 - If the burn is larger then the size of your arm or abdomen then you should go to the hospital.
#3 - The puffiness is normal most people swell after burning themselves, its more noticeable of softer skin than the hands.
It's up to you whether or not to wait until you can see your doc but personally If I was in your situation I would have gone to emergency.
EDIT: Do NOT put ice on the burn as others have suggested this will damage your skin further ... see sight below
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/first-a…