Managing Hand Burns: Hydrocolloid and Neosporin Recommendations
Three days ago, I accidentally burned my hands while dealing with hot wax at my workplace. Since the incident on Wednesday, I have been treating the burns using cold water, Neosporin, and hydrocolloid bandages, as my initial treatment involved just regular band-aids available at work. I have changed the bandages a few times, carefully washing the area and reapplying Neosporin each time. Given that I can't completely avoid exposing them to moisture at work, I anticipate needing to change the bandages every day. Initially, there was a blister on my thumb that retained fluid, but it burst when I removed the hydrocolloid the following day. I’m wondering if sticking to this treatment plan is advisable. They are painful, but I don’t observe any signs of infection. Also, could anyone provide insights on how long the healing process might take? Thank you for your help! (47F, currently on Rinvoq and Lialda for Ulcerative Colitis)
Answers (1)
2/14/2026, 10:40:29 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you’re managing your hand burns thoughtfully, which is important for healing. Since you experienced burns from hot wax, follow a few critical steps to enhance healing and minimize discomfort.
Burn Treatment Insights: Burns can be painful and take time to heal, especially with the potential for moisture exposure at work. Your current treatment of cold water, Neosporin, and hydrocolloid bandages is a reasonable approach, but let’s refine it to ensure optimal healing and pain management.
-
Current Treatment Review:
- Hydrocolloid Bandages: These are effective for protecting the burn and maintaining a moist environment that promotes healing. However, if it's too painful to change or if fluid collects frequently, consider using a less adhesive dressing or even a non-stick gauze pad secured with tape to reduce trauma when changing.
- Neosporin Application: It’s great that you’re applying Neosporin, as it can help prevent infection. If you notice any irritation or actual signs of infection (like increased redness, pus, or increased pain), switch to a simple antibiotic ointment without preservatives.
-
Monitoring Healing:
- Since you've mentioned the blister burst, keep a close watch for any changes. Healing can take anywhere from 1 to 3 weeks, depending on the severity of the burn. As your situation improves, you should notice less pain and discomfort.
-
Prioritized Next Steps:
- Continue Cleaning and Dressing: Maintain your routine of gently washing the burns with mild soap and water and applying a fresh bandage at least once a day or whenever it becomes wet. If pain increases during bandage changes, consider taking over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen as needed.
- Minimize Activity: If possible, limit activities that can aggravate your burns or expose them to moisture.
- Seek Assistance if Needed: If you notice increasing pain, redness, swelling, or if expectations of healing are not met by one week post-injury, consider seeking further assistance to rule out complications.
Remember to take care of yourself and be gentle with the healing process. Your attention to bandaging and cleaning is key to a quicker recovery. If you have any more specific concerns or if symptoms worsen, please reach out for further guidance.
Related Questions
Seeking Guidance on Tinea Versicolor
For those who may not know, tinea versicolor, also known as pityriasis versicolor, manifests as dark, flaky patches predominantly found on areas like the neck, shoulders, chest, and underarms. Personally, I have experienced this condition in all these locations. This fungal infection can be triggered by factors such as excessive sweating or high humidity levels. I have been struggling with tinea for over a year now, having noticed it first around December 2024. Initially, it started as a slight dryness, but as the months progressed, it darkened and began to spread across my skin. After consulting with a doctor, I was prescribed itraconazole, an antifungal medication, in late June 2025. Unfortunately, I have not observed any significant improvement since then. I returned to my doctor several times for follow-ups. During my first visit, he mentioned that it could take weeks, or even months, for any visible results. When I came back a few months later, around November 2025, still seeing no change, I was given a moisturizer along with a moisturizing body wash aimed at alleviating the dryness. While these did provide some relief from the dryness, they did not address the discoloration. I haven't encountered anyone online or in forums facing a situation similar to mine. This brings me to my questions: - If the tinea has cleared up, how long does it take for the dryness and discoloration to fully resolve? Alternatively, if it hasn’t cleared, what other treatments should I consider? I should mention that I’ve previously tried various antifungal products and anti-dandruff shampoos. - Additionally, if it isn’t tinea versicolor, what else could it possibly be? I’ve researched conditions like hyperpigmentation, psoriasis, eczema, and acanthosis nigricans, but none of these seem to fit my case. I would greatly appreciate any insights or assistance. Please feel free to ask me any further questions, if necessary. Thank you! (Just for context, I’m a 16-year-old male, weighing around 50 kg and standing about 5’7")
Exploring the Impact of Dorsal Tethering and Multiple Syrinx Shunts on Hand Weakness
**Patient Profile:** - **Age:** 54 years - **Height:** 169 cm - **Weight:** 77 kg - **Ethnicity:** Caucasian/Finnish **Chief Complaint:** The patient reports experiencing a gradual weakening of the left hand over the past two years. **Medical Background:** The individual has a history of thoracic spinal cord injury (T4 level) sustained in 2014, leading to post-traumatic syringomyelia affecting the spinal cord from C2 to T8. Over the course of 6 surgical interventions between 2015 and 2023, five intradural syrinx shunts have been implanted, along with the placement of an intrathecal baclofen pump to manage symptoms. **Current Medications:** - Intrathecal baclofen: 630 mcg per day - Gabapentin (Neurontin): 1200 mg taken three times daily (total 3600 mg) - Venlafaxine: 150 mg per day - Lamotrigine: 100 mg taken twice a day (total 200 mg) - **Alcohol Use:** Infrequent - **Smoking Status:** Non-smoker - **Recreational Drug Use:** None reported **Clinical Development:** Following the thoracic spinal cord injury, the patient progressed to develop significant syringomyelia. The multiple surgical interventions resulted in the placement of various shunts. A recent MRI scan from 2024 to 2025 revealed generalized atrophy of the spinal cord and dorsal tethering at the cervical region, while no significant expansion of the syrinx was noted. **Symptoms in the Past Two Years:** - Deterioration in fine motor skills of the left hand - Decreased grip strength - Noticeable atrophy of intrinsic muscles (consistent with a C8–T1 pattern) - Sensory loss has progressed from the ulnar digits to the entire left arm Electroneuromyography (ENMG) results did not indicate a clear peripheral cause for the symptoms. **Neurosurgical Consultations:** While several evaluations were conducted, no identifiable new surgical targets emerged. The potential for additional surgery is deemed high-risk at this stage. In cases similar to this patient, where stable imaging exists alongside a clinical decline, there is a question of whether procedures such as detethering, duraplasty, or shunt revision can effectively slow down the disease’s progression, or whether this represents an ongoing loss of anterior horn cells that is typically irreversible. **Imaging History:** *Visual documentation of imaging results is available.*
Ciprofloxacin Ear Drops: Concerns and Alternatives
Recently, I was given a prescription for Ciprofloxacin ear drops combined with a steroid. However, I must admit I'm apprehensive due to the information I've come across regarding Ciprofloxacin. Having recently stopped taking benzodiazepines, my nervous system is quite sensitive, and I’m still dealing with digestive issues stemming from several rounds of antibiotics in the past, which have led to food intolerances. Although I’ve managed to achieve a bit more stability, I am anxious about the prospect of using antibiotics to treat an outer ear infection. Are there any alternatives to Ciprofloxacin ear drops? Perhaps some natural remedies to consider, especially since my symptoms seem mild?
White Patches in the Mouth Around My Lips
What could be causing these white patches both inside my mouth and around my lips? I'm seeking advice on how to treat this issue effectively. Profile: - Gender: Female - Age: 45 - Smoking Status: Non-smoker - Current Medications: None - Medical Diagnoses: None
Persistent Discomfort Around the Liver Area
Age: 26 Gender: Female Height: 5 feet 1 inch Weight: 62.5 kg Ethnicity: Indian Duration of symptoms: 2 years Location: India Related health conditions: Fatty liver, borderline cholesterol, pre-diabetic (5.6) Current medications: None Last year, I was diagnosed with fatty liver disease, which was characterized by an enlargement measured at 16.4 cm and demonstrating an elevated echo texture, classified as grade 1. For quite some time now, I’ve had a persistent sensation as if something is lodged beneath my ribs—I can almost sense my liver. Occasionally, there seems to be some movement in that area, reminiscent of gas discomfort. Additionally, I experience a tightness in the corresponding area on my back. This discomfort is constant, although I find some relief through exercise. Despite my concerns, medical professionals often suggest that I may be overreacting, attributing my feelings to anxiety, acidity, or gas. They insist that the liver itself does not cause pain and that I shouldn't be feeling anything unusual. Frustratingly, I have explained to my doctors repeatedly that this sensation predates my fatty liver diagnosis. At one point, I suspected a potential gallbladder issue; however, my doctor dismissed it, stating that the pain typically associated with such conditions is notably severe. Overall, my medical tests have returned normal results, with the exception of one factor: systemic inflammation identified in my body. I have undergone testing twice over several months, with the inflammation levels remaining consistent (ESR - 20 initially, then 18 subsequently). The doctors maintain that these results fall within standard limits. I find myself questioning whether my doctor is dismissive of my concerns or if I am indeed experiencing liver-related issues. My anxiety is heightened by the fact that my cousin passed away from stomach cancer, after suffering similar symptoms and receiving misleading advice from various doctors until it was too late. Given the duration of my discomfort—two long years—I am eager for any potential diagnostic tests that could shed light on my condition. I am anxious and desperate for answers regarding the underlying causes of what I’m experiencing. For further context: The medical professionals assisting my brother and myself are not the same individuals.