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Burns/burn blisters joining
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Question
Yesterday, I spilled hot tea on my chest area and received a 2nd degree burn with redness, skin hot to the touch and mulitple blisters. I've kept it clean and dry and did not pop the blisters. However, I noticed today that the once 5 blisters have formed into one large continuous blister and seem to be spreading and joining with the other blisters. I was concerned if that was normal, because everything I've read cautions against 'popping' the blisters and as they join and get bigger this will be tougher. Thanks for your help.
Hi Laura,
Pretty much a normal progression. Burns mature over the first 72 hours. If you can call a doctor it would be a good idea to do so and get a prescription for a tube of silvadene. Try to protect the blister and keep it whole as long as possible to help prevent infection. So coat it with neosporin and a sterile dressing. After it breaks, wash and remove by peeling away any loose dead blister skin and cover with silvadene, sterile gauze and a bandage to hold things in place. Wash and chage daily or when the dressing becomes damp or soiled. As new thin skin begins to grow use neosporen on the newskin areas and continue the silvadene on the raw areas. When the raw areas are gone, switch to a protector/moisturizzer like mederma, A&D cream or Desitin diaper rash cream. Continue to cover the area as comfort requires but figure on 10 to 14 days. If you cannot get the silvadene or its equivilent use neosporin throughout the process.
Hope this helps!
Jim
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Jim B
Expertise
I can answer a variety of questions concerning the physical care of burns and burn patients which commonly are of interest to both patients and their families. Also I may be helpful in suggesting lifestyle modifications which will help with a more complete recovery from a serious burn. I can also accept questions regarding the physical classifications of burns and the implications regarding the size, depth, and location of burns. What I cannot answer based on my own knowledge and experience I can refer to my current and former collegues in the field including the plastic and trauma surgeons and burn recovery organizations. In many of these cases I will provide a line of communication directly to a specific expert or organization. While I can describe general treatments routines with which I am experienced,I cannot answer questions dealing with specifuc diagnosis of conditions or problems. Additionally, please understand that the area of burn treatments is an experimental one in which there is constant progress and change. Each Burn Center invests a major effort in the development of new materials, treatments, medications, and techniques. In this area of constant change and growth no one can be fully aware of all treatment courses employed.
Experience
I am a licensed Paramedic and have also worked as a wound technician in a large regional Burn Center in a Trauma Level 1 hospital. I have experience in the areas of burn evaluation and care, both long-term and immediate first aid. I have also worked as a volunteer couselor with post-burn patients dealing with issues ranging from life-style changes to re-entering the world as a serious burn survivor.
Education/Credentials
BA Economics and Biology, AA Health Care Management, EMT-P licensed in Missouri, ABLS (Advanced Burn Life Support)qulification, ACLS-EP (Advanced Cardiac Life Support-Experienced Provider), Former National Ski Patrol Winter Emergency Care Instructor and Senior Evaluator, Emergency Medical Technician and Paramedic Instructor.
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