Addressing My Worsening Burn: Seeking Advice
A few days prior, I posted about remedying what I believed to be a second-degree burn and inquired if there was a possibility of scarring. Unfortunately, since then, the situation has deteriorated. The burned area is becoming increasingly inflamed, exhibiting redness around the edges, and it begins to ooze pus approximately every four hours. At this point, I am doing my best to maintain cleanliness and protect the area. I would appreciate any suggestions for ointments that might aid in healing. I've been advised to avoid wearing bracelets on the affected wrist, though the bracelets I have don't actually touch the burn, and I am hesitant to part with them. Additionally, I am curious about the scarring process following such burns, as I have previous experience with keloid scars that are raised and reddish in appearance from significant injuries. I hope to avoid any visible scarring on my wrist for personal reasons.
Answers (1)
7/20/2025, 5:20:36 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you’re dealing with a concerning burn that’s showing signs of infection, which can be serious. The redness, inflammation, and pus suggest that the area may have become infected, and it’s important to address this promptly to promote healing and minimize the risk of scarring.
Explanation
Burns, especially second-degree burns, can be at risk for infections if they are not healing properly. The presence of pus indicates that bacteria may be present, and this can complicate the healing process and increase the likelihood of scarring, particularly if you have a history of keloids.
Prioritized Next Steps
-
Keep the Area Clean: Carefully wash the burn with mild soap and lukewarm water. Pat it dry gently with a clean towel.
-
Apply an Antibiotic Ointment: Use an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment such as Neosporin or Polysporin. Apply a thin layer on the burn after cleaning it. Do this twice a day to help prevent infection. Avoid using ointments that may be irritating or have fragrances.
-
Cover the Wound: Protect the burn with a sterile, non-stick bandage or gauze. Change the bandage daily or if it becomes wet or dirty. This will help keep the area clean and reduce irritation.
-
Avoid Tight or Restrictive Jewelry: While you mentioned your bracelets don’t touch the burn, it's wise to avoid wearing them altogether for now to minimize friction and irritation around the area.
-
Monitor for Worsening Symptoms: If you notice increasing redness, more oozing, increased pain, or fever, these could be signs that the infection is worsening.
Addressing Scarring
-
Placement of Topical Treatments: Once the burn begins healing (usually after a few days when it stops weeping), you may consider applying silicone gel sheets or ointments specifically designed for scar prevention. These are often recommended to help minimize the risk of keloid and hypertrophic scars.
-
Moisturize the Area: After healing, keeping the area moisturized with a silicone-based gel or cream can promote better healing and may help prevent scarring.
Lastly, consider discussing your concerns with a healthcare provider who can evaluate the burn in person, especially if it continues to worsen or fails to improve over the next few days. Your safety and healing are the priority, and seeking professional advice when in doubt is always a good course of action.
Related Questions
Seeking Clarity on a Pediatric Surgical Experience
One of my earliest recollections involves surgical gauze wrapped around my genitals and being cautioned to exercise caution regarding my circumcision. This incident dates back to around 1972, when I was roughly three years old. My brother, who was eleven at the time, corroborates this memory and recalls that the bandage remained in place for "a few weeks." His recollection is a bit unclear, but he does remember seeing me running around without pants and with a gauze dressing. He believes the dressing wasn't overly bulky and doesn't recall any stent being used. However, I am aware that his memory may not be completely accurate based on other conversations we've had. He recalls being informed that I underwent surgery for an undescended testicle, yet was never made aware of a circumcision being involved. Later, a physician indirectly confirmed that I had undergone an early orchidopexy. This memory piques my curiosity, particularly since my parents have never brought it up with me. I have knowledge of having glanular/coronal hypospadias, and the details of my situation appear to align with images I’ve encountered depicting partial hypospadias corrections. This leads me to wonder if my circumcision might have actually been related to hypospadias surgery. Unfortunately, any tangible proof of these events was lost when I underwent gender confirmation surgery as a trans woman three decades ago. It's conceivable that the standard circumcision procedure typically performed at birth could have been postponed, given that I was born slightly premature and had significant Rh disease and hypoxia. But could it have been deferred until I reached the age of three? I have made attempts to obtain my medical records, but unfortunately, they have been destroyed over the years. While I understand that definitive answers may be elusive, I would greatly appreciate any insights or thoughts on this matter.
Unexplained Left Chest Pain, Electric-Like Jabs in Lower Back, and Unusual Headaches
Hi there, I’m a 15-year-old experiencing some peculiar health issues lately. A visit to my doctor led to a diagnosis of anxiety and poor posture after I complained about headaches and strange, electric sensations rising through my head. However, after that appointment, I became aware of pain in my heart and strange discomfort in my left chest accompanied by difficulty breathing. Initially, I thought these symptoms aligned with anxiety, but they persisted long enough to cause concern. To rule out any serious conditions, I underwent a blood test, which fortunately came back normal. Despite the positive results, I continued to feel unusual pains in my heart region and a peculiar ache in my lower abdomen. The doctor had previously mentioned my poor posture and identified an issue with my occipital nerve, which I’ve somewhat addressed. Now, though, I find myself having intermittent back pain and brief discomfort just beneath my left lung. These pains are indeed strange; they don’t always last long, sometimes just fading after five seconds or they might stick around for several minutes. I tend to spend a lot of time in bed and don’t often leave the house, yet when I do, these pains still occur. Thankfully, they aren’t debilitating, but I can't help but feel anxious thinking something might be significantly wrong with my health. It’s unsettling and I’d prefer not to dwell on such thoughts. To summarize: I experience chest pain in my lower left quadrant, specifically near my lung, alongside a mild but uncomfortable sensation that waxes and wanes. Additionally, I suffer from headaches located on the upper left side of my head. I apologize for any grammatical errors as I used voice-to-text for this message. Another detail that might be relevant is that I have recently quit vaping, now almost 22 days ago, and I wonder if this could be part of the recovery process.
Expectorated Large Tissue with Blood
At 28 years old, I experienced a fever the previous night, after which I had no other cold symptoms. To my surprise, today I coughed just once and expelled a significant piece of tissue mixed with blood. Following this alarming incident, I sought medical attention at an urgent care facility because I developed a headache immediately afterward and felt a peculiar "butterfly" sensation in my chest. The healthcare professionals did not conduct any laboratory tests or imaging studies, instead opting to prescribe antibiotics for what they suspected might be an infection. Is this an appropriate response to my situation? This is quite concerning.
Understanding Kidney Pain: Should You Be Concerned?
As a 15-year-old assigned female at birth (AFAB), I've been dealing with acid reflux, although I've been neglecting to take any supplements. I also have scoliosis, which I doubt is linked to my current issue. Recently, I have been experiencing pain in my kidney area, specifically in my back, where my kidneys are situated. My mother suggested that this discomfort might indeed stem from my kidneys. For several months now, I haven't pinpointed the cause. I typically consume about 1 to 1.5 liters of water daily, and occasionally I drink cola, though I've reduced that due to my reflux. I sometimes have peach juice or plain tea, but those drinks have become quite infrequent. Despite my fluid intake, it seems my pain level remains consistent regardless of what I drink. The pain primarily affects my right kidney, but during more intense episodes, I also feel discomfort in my left kidney. I've tried lying down and applying gentle pressure to the area, which provides a bit of relief. Aside from occasional bladder discomfort today, I haven't experienced any additional pain that relates to my kidneys, aside from the persistent back pain from scoliosis and the usual stomach and chest pains from my reflux. Is it necessary for me to consult a doctor about this concern? 🥺 I am hesitant to go unless it's truly serious because I was hospitalized last summer due to undiagnosed tics and twitches—likely anxiety-related—and I spent the entire winter seeing doctors for this issue and my scoliosis. I’m also worried about missing school due to more medical appointments, especially since my doctor has a packed schedule, and I'm uncertain if she would prioritize my concern if it doesn't seem urgent. When I was hospitalized last summer, tests including urine and blood analysis showed no significant issues, so I'm unsure whether this warrants another visit now.
Persistent Shin Discomfort
For the past year, I have been grappling with ongoing discomfort in my shins. Despite consulting multiple physiotherapists and doctors, I have yet to find a solution to my problem. My routine has included extensive strength training targeting my hips, glutes, calves, and lower leg muscles. I've also taken steps to improve my running form and have experimented with various recovery techniques, such as foam rolling and using massage devices. No matter what I try, the pain persists, specifically on the inner side of my lower legs. Initially, I suspected that I was suffering from shin splints. However, given my varied attempts at treatment and the lack of improvement, I am starting to believe that the issue might be something different. Even mundane activities, like walking around at home, have become increasingly uncomfortable, not to mention my inability to ride a stationary bike without experiencing pain. If anyone has any insights or recommendations that could assist me in alleviating this issue, I would be extremely grateful. Thank you for your help! I'm a 20-year-old male, standing at 5 feet 8 inches and weighing 70 kilograms.