Burns/burn question

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Expert: Jim B - 12/2/2008


Question
Our 2-year-old recently acquired 2nd degree burns to her palm after touching a burner on the stove top. After emergency visit and follow-up, it has been 4 days and we have kept dressings clean and fresh with added fucidin cream. The doc. punctured the bubbles to release fluid and pressure but there is a lot of extra skin now. Since we have dressings on the burns, the skin is kept quite damp and I'm wondering if the skin will simply dry out and fall away for the new skin to grow or if it has to be removed as well? We're in no hurry to take action. I was simply curious for future reference. Her pain is extremely minimal and the wound looks good and is healing well.

Answer
Hi Keri,

Our local protocol here would be to trim off the dead blister skin and continue to go on with the dressing as described. However, this may be done with your follow up visit. The dead skin may simply begin to dry up and begin to fall off as the new skin beneath the blister heals. But it soulds like things are progressing ok at this point.

I would suggest that you suggesy that the doctor remove the dead blister skin at then next visit.

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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