AboutJim 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.
Hi Jim,
A few days ago I suffered several burns while scrubbing our outdoor deck with a varnish stripper. The chemical burns (sodium hydroxide) are still somewhat painful, and it's hard to bend the fingers where the chemical spilled onto the knuckles. We were putting vitamin E on the burns, but it made them sting so now I'm just putting an ice pack on them a few hours a day.
I was wondering if the scars look normal, and if they will heal properly. The middle and ring fingers look white on the outer edges of the burn "craters" (right inside where I cut the skin off) - is this normal healing? Will it take months to heal properly? Will I be able to bend my fingers all the way when the wounds heal?
Also, my fingernails "curled up" on the edges, and flattened out a bit. I assume they will grow out correctly after a few weeks, is that right?
Thanks for your help!
Answer Hi Mike,
The "pits" look in the picture like third degre injuries and it is likely that scars will result. I am sure you have washed your hands well in the interm to remove any of the chemical residue. Lets make that washing a frequent thing at least three times a day gently wash the affected area with soap and water. After this pat dry with sterile gauze and coat the actual burns with neosporin. Then cover with large bandaids. re do this routine until the pits have covered their insides with thin new skin. Of equal importance is to regularly and frquently flex the affected fingers trying to touch palm of your hand by curling the fingers. This will stretch the healing finger skin (scars and all) to maintain their full range of motion.
The finger nails should be fine and will re-grow out to their orininal shape as long as the nail beds at the root of the nails was not damaged. They look ok in the picture.
Skip the vitamin E oil for at least the next 10 days. If you wish to use it later add a drop or two to the neosporin. When the new thin skin covers the raw parts get some mederma, Desitin diaper cream or A&D ointment, add a drop of E oil and frquently moisturize the area until your skin is back to original thickness.
Throughout this process watch for any sign of infection and if anything remotely odd seems to happen or the wounds seem to start to get worse instead of better daily, see the doctor.
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