Stupid iron burn!
July 19, 2011 11:20 AM Subscribe
A tiny burn on my arm is KILLING ME OH MY GOD. How to stop it hurting now and keep it from scarring later?
So stupid klutzy me burned myself while ironing a few days ago. I have a perfect rectangle of burn on my forearm, about an inch and a half long.
I burned it on Friday. The first couple days it didnt hurt at all. It formed a blister. Than.... warning, this is gross. Sorry. Sunday night I went to sleep. Somehow in the middle of the night I must've scratched it or something, cuz I woke up in the middle of the night, mid scratch. I was completely horrified. When I'm awake, I'm a model of self control! Ok so I cleaned it immediately. I mean it wasnt bleeding or anything but the blister-y skin had popped.
Since then it hurts and itches and is making me nuts. I keep it covered with a bandaid and neosporin. It's raw and disgusting.
Ok my question, besides grossing you out, is what can I put on it now to make it stop hurting? And if I just gotta tough it out, then fine, but what can I put on it to make it not scar? I know Vitamin E is supposed to be good, but does that really work? And do I put it on NOW while the skin is still raw and open? or afterward when it starts to scab?
So stupid klutzy me burned myself while ironing a few days ago. I have a perfect rectangle of burn on my forearm, about an inch and a half long.
I burned it on Friday. The first couple days it didnt hurt at all. It formed a blister. Than.... warning, this is gross. Sorry. Sunday night I went to sleep. Somehow in the middle of the night I must've scratched it or something, cuz I woke up in the middle of the night, mid scratch. I was completely horrified. When I'm awake, I'm a model of self control! Ok so I cleaned it immediately. I mean it wasnt bleeding or anything but the blister-y skin had popped.
Since then it hurts and itches and is making me nuts. I keep it covered with a bandaid and neosporin. It's raw and disgusting.
Ok my question, besides grossing you out, is what can I put on it now to make it stop hurting? And if I just gotta tough it out, then fine, but what can I put on it to make it not scar? I know Vitamin E is supposed to be good, but does that really work? And do I put it on NOW while the skin is still raw and open? or afterward when it starts to scab?
I have a perfect rectangle of burn on my forearm, about an inch and a half long.
In your shoes, I would apply Neosporin and cover it with a Tegaderm bandage. I'm not a doctor or a health professional of any kind, but I am a klutz who consistently injures himself in new and interesting ways.
posted by Inspector.Gadget at 11:26 AM on July 19, 2011
In your shoes, I would apply Neosporin and cover it with a Tegaderm bandage. I'm not a doctor or a health professional of any kind, but I am a klutz who consistently injures himself in new and interesting ways.
posted by Inspector.Gadget at 11:26 AM on July 19, 2011
Best answer: Have you tried the version of Neosporin that has a built-in pain reliever ingredient? The numbing action can be helpful in letting you take your mind off it.
posted by mauvest at 11:34 AM on July 19, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by mauvest at 11:34 AM on July 19, 2011 [1 favorite]
A good hydrocolloid will also help reduce pain. I'd look for a burn cream in particular which will contain a lot of the ingredients needed to prevent scarring, reduce pain, and chance of infection. A good dressing might also include silicon nylon, polyurethane film (in lieu of a bandaid), or sterilzed gauze. The key now that the blister has popped however, is preventing infection which adds +d10 to pain and healing time.
posted by samsara at 11:52 AM on July 19, 2011
posted by samsara at 11:52 AM on July 19, 2011
I burn myself a fair amount, and typically leave them alone as much as possible aside from keeping them clean. They hurt and itch for the first day or so, and then tend to scab over, largely stop hurting, and eventually just heal.
This does tend to leave a scar however. I like scars. Sadly for me, maybe not for you, mine tend to slowly fade over the course of a few years.
posted by contrarian at 11:59 AM on July 19, 2011
This does tend to leave a scar however. I like scars. Sadly for me, maybe not for you, mine tend to slowly fade over the course of a few years.
posted by contrarian at 11:59 AM on July 19, 2011
When I got a burn on my arm a few years ago (stupid boiling hot Weight Watchers frozen entree cheese), my doctor told me NOT to put Neosporin on it (after I *had* been putting Neosporin on it). He recommended something else (which I do not remember), and then Vitamin E cream after that, and leaving it uncovered.
posted by Lucinda at 12:01 PM on July 19, 2011
posted by Lucinda at 12:01 PM on July 19, 2011
Aloe vera, particularly from a fresh plant works well.
posted by ikaruga at 12:03 PM on July 19, 2011
posted by ikaruga at 12:03 PM on July 19, 2011
I had a very bad burn on my hand once and the doctor told me that exposing it to air made it hurt more. He recommended a cream and wrapping it in a bandage. The difference that made to the pain level was indescribable. Near instant relief.
posted by Jubey at 12:07 PM on July 19, 2011
posted by Jubey at 12:07 PM on July 19, 2011
I find aloe works great on stopping scarring but you have to get it from an actual aloe plant.
I have been disappointingly happy with the stuff from the bottle. In fact, after a friend got sunburned, we painted half his face with stuff from the plant and the other half from the plant, straight down the middle. The stuff from the bottle, besides being soothing from being stored in the fridge, actually did a slightly better job as judged by redness and pain the next day.
I really like getting stuff straight off of the plant, but don't let that stop you from using the bottled stuff. In this one experiment it did a better job.
posted by small_ruminant at 12:09 PM on July 19, 2011
I have been disappointingly happy with the stuff from the bottle. In fact, after a friend got sunburned, we painted half his face with stuff from the plant and the other half from the plant, straight down the middle. The stuff from the bottle, besides being soothing from being stored in the fridge, actually did a slightly better job as judged by redness and pain the next day.
I really like getting stuff straight off of the plant, but don't let that stop you from using the bottled stuff. In this one experiment it did a better job.
posted by small_ruminant at 12:09 PM on July 19, 2011
When I had a bad burn, putting ice (over the bandage, in plastic) on it helped a lot with the pain (and itching, when it started to heal).
posted by Specklet at 12:15 PM on July 19, 2011
posted by Specklet at 12:15 PM on July 19, 2011
Best answer: I managed to rip the fresh scab off of a pretty bad burn setting up a Christmas tree - the burn didn't hurt at all after the original "owie", but hurt like all holy hell after I tore the scab, right until it was healed a week or two later.
The doc I saw recommended cleaning it regularly with hydrogen peroxide, changing the dressing while I was at it, and taking ibuprofen to keep the pain manageable and the swelling down. She said even tho it was nasty looking and hurt like satan himself, it really was a minor burn and would heal cleanly. I had a red mark after it healed, but it's mostly faded, and I haven't done anything special to treat it for scarring.
posted by Slap*Happy at 12:24 PM on July 19, 2011
The doc I saw recommended cleaning it regularly with hydrogen peroxide, changing the dressing while I was at it, and taking ibuprofen to keep the pain manageable and the swelling down. She said even tho it was nasty looking and hurt like satan himself, it really was a minor burn and would heal cleanly. I had a red mark after it healed, but it's mostly faded, and I haven't done anything special to treat it for scarring.
posted by Slap*Happy at 12:24 PM on July 19, 2011
It's too late this time, but the next time you burn yourself, you need to run the burn under the cold tap for 10 minutes. This will be too cold to put up with for long, so you can take little breaks during the 10 minutes. But if you do this right away, there's a good chance the burn won't take or at least won't be as bad.
After that you need to dress the burn with a sterile non-fluffy material such as a Melolin dressing to prevent infection. I would keep an eye on this burn to see that it doesn't get infected, especially since you have a burst blister.
And for an electrical burn or one that's larger than about the size of the palm of your hand, always get medical help.
posted by tel3path at 12:24 PM on July 19, 2011
After that you need to dress the burn with a sterile non-fluffy material such as a Melolin dressing to prevent infection. I would keep an eye on this burn to see that it doesn't get infected, especially since you have a burst blister.
And for an electrical burn or one that's larger than about the size of the palm of your hand, always get medical help.
posted by tel3path at 12:24 PM on July 19, 2011
And if I just gotta tough it out, then fine, but what can I put on it to make it not scar? I know Vitamin E is supposed to be good, but does that really work? And do I put it on NOW while the skin is still raw and open? or afterward when it starts to scab?
I've been getting a lot of scars lately. This is what the doctors have told me:
1) Vitamin E and...that cream thats made from onions, I can't remember what its called, basically there is very little evidence that they do anything good, despite a lot of looking for it. Probably not going to hurt anything, but probably not going to help either.
2) Don't put anything on it except antibacterial cream while its all open and nasty
3) When it scabs, there's actually a fine line of picking it at too much and not picking it at enough you want to try to walk down. Basically, if you let a big old crusty scab chill there, it will make the scar worse. You kind of want to work the dried crusty bits off it when you can.
4) MAIN THING: sun damage. Keep the sun off it. For like, a year. The sun is the one thing all the doctors, especially the plastic surgeons, hammer on.
5) After it heals up for a few months, if you don't like it, you can see if a plastic surgeon can "revise" it. That is actually the word they use. "Revise." Doctors are hilarious with their la-di-da language use. "substantia nigra." "Metabolic Syndrome X." "We'll just 'revise' that scar."
This might all be different for burns. Sorry. If I was you though I'd be like clean it, bacitracin it, tegaderm it.
posted by jeb at 12:30 PM on July 19, 2011
I've been getting a lot of scars lately. This is what the doctors have told me:
1) Vitamin E and...that cream thats made from onions, I can't remember what its called, basically there is very little evidence that they do anything good, despite a lot of looking for it. Probably not going to hurt anything, but probably not going to help either.
2) Don't put anything on it except antibacterial cream while its all open and nasty
3) When it scabs, there's actually a fine line of picking it at too much and not picking it at enough you want to try to walk down. Basically, if you let a big old crusty scab chill there, it will make the scar worse. You kind of want to work the dried crusty bits off it when you can.
4) MAIN THING: sun damage. Keep the sun off it. For like, a year. The sun is the one thing all the doctors, especially the plastic surgeons, hammer on.
5) After it heals up for a few months, if you don't like it, you can see if a plastic surgeon can "revise" it. That is actually the word they use. "Revise." Doctors are hilarious with their la-di-da language use. "substantia nigra." "Metabolic Syndrome X." "We'll just 'revise' that scar."
This might all be different for burns. Sorry. If I was you though I'd be like clean it, bacitracin it, tegaderm it.
posted by jeb at 12:30 PM on July 19, 2011
I've had better luck recently using "Second Skin" brand moist burn dressings rather than Band-Aid type bandages. They provide some cooling, and keep the burn moist (which apparently helps reduce scarring), but don't actually contain any active ingredient besides water.
posted by RogerB at 12:38 PM on July 19, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by RogerB at 12:38 PM on July 19, 2011 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thanks everyone for the advice so far! I will def look into that Second Skin bandaging cuz right now the stupid bandaids make it hurt worse. If I let it breathe, it hurts much less but I dont want it to get infected. Slap*Happy, thanks for the anecdote about your "Satan-esque" burn healing nicely. That gives me hope!
I am off to the pharmacy tonight to get Vitamin E (for later), better bandaging (for now) and I will ravage my friend's aloe plant for soothing throughout. Also this Neosporin with pain reliever sounds promising...
posted by silverstatue at 12:51 PM on July 19, 2011
I am off to the pharmacy tonight to get Vitamin E (for later), better bandaging (for now) and I will ravage my friend's aloe plant for soothing throughout. Also this Neosporin with pain reliever sounds promising...
posted by silverstatue at 12:51 PM on July 19, 2011
I'm a silversmith, and I used to work as a baker. So yeah, burns are known to happen. For the most part I ignore them, but I was utterly shocked once when I got a bad one on my thumb and a friend put some aloe juice on it straight away. It completely fixed the burn. I didn't even get a blister, and I really, really should have. So, for the future, putting aloe on very shortly after you get burned (I think it was about 45 minutes later, in this case) seems to help a surprising amount.
Also, Contrarian, are you me? I believe you're the only other person I am aware of who is disappointed that his/her scars fade too fast. It's nice to know you're out there.
posted by Because at 12:58 PM on July 19, 2011
Also, Contrarian, are you me? I believe you're the only other person I am aware of who is disappointed that his/her scars fade too fast. It's nice to know you're out there.
posted by Because at 12:58 PM on July 19, 2011
you don't need a real aloe plant. just get 100% aloe gel from the store. make sure it has no alcohol or other additives. Fruit of the Earth is a good brand. I've never used it mid-burn, but, like Because, if I put it on within 45 min or so of the burn, nothing happens until a week or so later when the dead skin sloughs off. You only need to apply the aloe once (in my experience).
posted by elle.jeezy at 1:10 PM on July 19, 2011
posted by elle.jeezy at 1:10 PM on July 19, 2011
My iron burn scar is incredibly faint and barely noticeable. Which is to say, I know where to look for it, but nobody else could ever find the darn thing now. They fade very nicely after some number of years. And that was without any scar treatment.
posted by jenfullmoon at 1:21 PM on July 19, 2011
posted by jenfullmoon at 1:21 PM on July 19, 2011
Do you have a dermatologist you can get a prescription from? If so, I got a stupid klutz burn a couple years ago that felt like yours did, and I was prescribed Silvadene. It's a topical cream. That stuff is magic. Just follow the instructions and it would probably help you too and give you peace of mind. I also thought I'd have a giant scar, but the area healed perfectly. <3 my silvadene.
posted by wondermouse at 1:22 PM on July 19, 2011
posted by wondermouse at 1:22 PM on July 19, 2011
For future burn referents, there's good info all 'round here but some more backup details from a bike racer who's made a habit of removing skin on the pavement once or twice per year:
- lidocaine gel, seriously get it it works; if you can't find it use Anbesol or similar (has lidocaine in it).
- +1 on aloe gel for helping minimize scarring but the lidocaine gel will kill the burn instantly (it's an anaesthetic).
- Tegaderm dressing + polysporin ointment (better than neosporin)
- Silvadene burn cream, if you can find it; it's gone off patent now and should be available as generic in your better drugstores.
whatever you do, don't pick, let the scab dry out, let it get infected (clean and change your dressings daily) or use peroxide. All will lead to slower healing and formation of granulation tissue / keloid scarring.
I have treated A SHIT TON of road rash in my day and they are essentially identical wounds, except burns (usually) heal cleaner since they don't have the initial gotta-scrub-out-all-the-dirt/gravel/road-tar-out initial episode of pure ugliness and bawling in the shower.
posted by lonefrontranger at 1:40 PM on July 19, 2011 [1 favorite]
- lidocaine gel, seriously get it it works; if you can't find it use Anbesol or similar (has lidocaine in it).
- +1 on aloe gel for helping minimize scarring but the lidocaine gel will kill the burn instantly (it's an anaesthetic).
- Tegaderm dressing + polysporin ointment (better than neosporin)
- Silvadene burn cream, if you can find it; it's gone off patent now and should be available as generic in your better drugstores.
whatever you do, don't pick, let the scab dry out, let it get infected (clean and change your dressings daily) or use peroxide. All will lead to slower healing and formation of granulation tissue / keloid scarring.
I have treated A SHIT TON of road rash in my day and they are essentially identical wounds, except burns (usually) heal cleaner since they don't have the initial gotta-scrub-out-all-the-dirt/gravel/road-tar-out initial episode of pure ugliness and bawling in the shower.
posted by lonefrontranger at 1:40 PM on July 19, 2011 [1 favorite]
Thirding Silvadene cream. I burnt the absolute shit out of my leg 10 or so years ago (basically 1st, 2nd, or 3rd degree burns from my ankle to my knee). Silvadene cream is fucking magic. Butter up a gauze pad with the good stuff, put it on, and lightly ace bandage over it to keep it in place. Swap that out twice a day. And keep it clean as needed.
You'll be good as new in short order without crippling pain.
posted by milqman at 1:45 PM on July 19, 2011
You'll be good as new in short order without crippling pain.
posted by milqman at 1:45 PM on July 19, 2011
Response by poster: Ok I must get my hands on this Silvadene stuff! I don't have a dermatologist but I have some good pharmacies at my disposal so maybe I'll get lucky.
posted by silverstatue at 2:00 PM on July 19, 2011
posted by silverstatue at 2:00 PM on July 19, 2011
i gave myself a hideous 2nd/3rd degree burn by pouring boiling water on my chest right before thanksgiving. it was small, but really serious. the treatment as prescribed by the physician was that silvadene cream. I can't tell you what a huge difference it made. I mean, this was a burn serious enough to need twice-daily debridement for a couple of days, and the silvadene was incredible.
posted by KathrynT at 3:52 PM on July 19, 2011
posted by KathrynT at 3:52 PM on July 19, 2011
Best answer: Yeah, the two times I've set myself on fire I used Solarcaine (lidocaine and aloe gel), stuck my hand in a frozen coozie and taken a xanax to go to bed after loosely covering the burned area with gauze - I'd probably use the spray-on New Skin once it's not blistering, but it's tricky to know when that's safe to do.
Sorry babe, burns suck - and they hurt just as bad for a long time as they did when the initial injury happened. :(
posted by Unicorn on the cob at 4:16 PM on July 19, 2011
Sorry babe, burns suck - and they hurt just as bad for a long time as they did when the initial injury happened. :(
posted by Unicorn on the cob at 4:16 PM on July 19, 2011
Sorry, set my hand on fire. Also, if you think it's going to scar there's Scarzone for that. (This stuff has saved me from having raised scars on my face from MRSA, but they've got a version just for burns.)
posted by Unicorn on the cob at 4:18 PM on July 19, 2011
posted by Unicorn on the cob at 4:18 PM on July 19, 2011
As others have said, the Silvadene is a lifesaver. It is prescription-only, so you'll have to go to the doctor, but a GP or urgent care doctor should be able to prescribe it. I had an amazing set of chemical burns on my hands a couple of years ago that blistered and wept and were several inches in diameter, and I have no scars at all thanks to that stuff.
In the meantime, though, the water-gel bandages are great, and will help with the pain.
posted by dizziest at 5:29 PM on July 19, 2011
In the meantime, though, the water-gel bandages are great, and will help with the pain.
posted by dizziest at 5:29 PM on July 19, 2011
Response by poster: Well, I was unable to find any over-the-counter Silvadene, but I did get the Solarcaine spray and the Neosporin with pain reliever in it. AND I got soft sterile pads, and a gauze bandage. I look like I have some kind of serious wound, even though my burn is so, so tiny :)
But anyway, it hurts less now AND it's turned a lovely dark red color which actually looks BETTER like a start-to-heal color and not a pink raw hamburger color it was earlier. Question - I got some fresh aloe from a plant. Should I plop that on too? Or will too many different things do more damage than good?
posted by silverstatue at 7:59 PM on July 19, 2011
But anyway, it hurts less now AND it's turned a lovely dark red color which actually looks BETTER like a start-to-heal color and not a pink raw hamburger color it was earlier. Question - I got some fresh aloe from a plant. Should I plop that on too? Or will too many different things do more damage than good?
posted by silverstatue at 7:59 PM on July 19, 2011
Bag Balm. Minimizes scarring and pain. My latest klutz move was to get too close to a motorcycle exhaust pipe and so, I burned my leg, badly. After I cooled it down (20 minutes running cool water) and then aloe treatment the first night, I started treating it every day with Bag Balm. Took about 2 months to heal (yes, I burned it that badly) but no scar and it never got infected during the healing process. Use a bandage over it or not, as you wish for your comfort.
posted by Lynsey at 9:02 PM on July 19, 2011
posted by Lynsey at 9:02 PM on July 19, 2011
Ice works for me. Some people are more prone than others to inflammation, a source of both pain and inefficient healing.
posted by R2WeTwo at 5:17 AM on July 20, 2011
posted by R2WeTwo at 5:17 AM on July 20, 2011
Oh and if you're using Solarcaine, once the pain definitely stops then you could put on straight Aloe Vera if you wish. It'll moisturize the area and help prevent scarring, because it's a natural moisturizer. Hope you're feeling better today!
posted by Unicorn on the cob at 9:04 AM on July 20, 2011
posted by Unicorn on the cob at 9:04 AM on July 20, 2011
Response by poster: Thanks everyone for your help! I'm feeling much better. The big difference was switching from stupid regular band aids to the Gauze pads. Also the neosporin with pain reliever helped it stop hurting and the aloe made it stop being so raw and scary looking. Lots of good advice here for the future. I love AskMeFi!
posted by silverstatue at 9:07 AM on July 21, 2011
posted by silverstatue at 9:07 AM on July 21, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by aabbbiee at 11:24 AM on July 19, 2011