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Burns/exhaust pipe burn after 9 days

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Expert: Jim B - 11/27/2008


Question
Hi Jim,

First of all, your answers have been such a great help! Thanks for the time and effort you've put in.

Now to business, I burnt myself on the exhaust pipe of a motorbike. The burn is about 4 x 2.5 centimetre. On the 3rd day, small pockets of fluid started appearing but I don't think they were blisters as there wasn't much pus and they didn't appear like typical blisters that are completely filled up fluid. Just wrinkling of the burnt skin with some fluid underneath.

I didn't do anything to it and applied Silvadene religious 3 times a day. The burn was also covered at all times. The 'blister' eventually burst but I did not do anything to it except clean it up and put more Silvadene.

So this had been my routine for the past week. Silvadene and keeping it covered up. However, yesterday I noticed that the burnt skin has dried up, crisp and has started to fall off to reveal very pink, very raw skin that's NOT wet.

Is this normal? When will my skin go back to its original coloring or is that not going to happen?

Answer
Hi  ST,

I would say thay it is healing pretty well. And the treatment you descripe has been pretty good. A couple of things: make sure that you are washing the burn at least daily and keep changing the dressing as well. Lets switch from the silvadene to neosporin as soon as the raw skin stats to cover over with thin new coating of skin.

Hope this helps!

Jim

Burns

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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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