What do you do when you burn your hand?

Answer 1

If the burn happened within the last minute or two, immerse the hand in cold (but not freezing) water. This is to reduce the temperature of the hand -- it might still be burning. Hold it in the cold water for a few minutes, then dry by patting with a clean cloth. If it's just reddened but the skin isn't hurt, that's a first degree burn -- there's really not a lot you need to do. Treat it delicately, if you want to use a burn cream, especially one with a topical painkiller, go ahead. If you have blisters, this is a second degree burn. If one or two fingertips are blistered, and there's nothing else wrong with you, you can probably handle this at home. If they entire hand is blistered, this is a job for the ER. Somewhere in between, you'll have to make your own decision. You can always call your doctor or ER when in doubt. If you decide to treat this at home, DON'T pop the blisters. Nature will take care of that. Wrap the hand loosely and gently in clean or sterile gauze. This is to protenct the hand. Don't move the hand in such a way that flexes the burned areas. When the blisters pop, get out the sterile gear. Gently dab the wound dry, and trim away any dead skin -- and ONLY dead skin. If you have silvadene (Silver sulfazine), this is a good time to apply it. If not, gently apply betadyne to the raw, new skin, and let it air dry, then sover with a sterile gauze in order to protect and keep it clean. Some folks like antimicrobial creams. They keep the wound moist. I personally don't -- they act as adhesives for micbrobes and dirt. However, this is a matter of opinion, and there are good arguments on both sides. Keep this wound dry. Check it and re-bandage every time it gets wet or every 1-2 days. If you've burned your hand so badly that most of the surface skin is gone, and the wound has a blackened look, or the well-known "fried chicken skin" appearance, that's a 3rd degree burn. Wrap the burn very gently in sterile (if you have em) gauze or clean cloth (if you don't have sterile), and head for the ER. If you're a distance from help, and have very clean or sterile water, you can wrap the 3rd degree burn in damp strips of bandage, then in guaze. Start heading for help ASAP. Treat the victim of third degree burns for shock. Do not apply butter or oil. Except as noted above, do not apply creams. all this stuff will have to be cleaned off at the ER, and that can HURT.

Answer 2

Immediately run cool water over the burn for 10-15 minutes to help reduce pain and swelling. Take pain relievers like ibuprofen, and cover the burn with a sterile dressing. Seek medical attention if the burn is severe or covers a large area.

Answer 3

Lavender oil will alleviate the pain and prevent blistering.

Afterward, neosporin will aid in healing.