You are here:
- Home
- Health/Fitness
- First Aid/Emergency Medicine
- Burns
- Face burn from a light bulb
Burns/Face burn from a light bulb
Advertisement
Question
My 7 yr old grandchild was burn't on her face from touching a light bulb. My daugher said the mark turned black and the skin was coming off. Can this happen?
Hi Barbara,
Sorry my internet connection is by a dish on the roof and was just (at last fixed so that I can get reliable working contact with the world!!!
Yes, it can happen. The burn is likely to be a second degree where the blister was broken at the time of the burn. The epidermal layer separate from the damaged under-layer of skin (dermis) and flakes or comes off easily. NOW, if the skin under the burn is wet as it top layer comes off we would be sure that it WAS a second degree burn, however if this is a week or so AFTER the burn and the underskin is DRY, than it is more likely to have been a fairly deep 1st degree burn.
In the case of a first degree burn, keeping it well moisturized with an unscented hospital quality skin cream (Mederma, A&D cream, Desitin (the diaper rash stuff), will be of great help in restoring original skin color and texture. If it is a "wet" burn, and the time from burn to treatment is a few hours to 24 hours, then the wash it, neosporin it, and cover it twice a day for 14 days or until it is dry and healing... then follow the directions for a first degree burn for a total of 21 days applies. It both cases, sunlight is not a burn's friend! use sunblock for at least this summer on the burn area.
Hope this helps.
JimB
Related Articles
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.
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.