Blistering Burns

By Amy Morgan

Ouch! You held the match too long when lighting fireworks. Or maybe you positioned your S’more too close to the fire. Ever lit a gas grill and singed more than the hair on your arm? Or jumped on a mini-bike and realized the exhaust pipe wasn’t covered? Stayed in the sun too long? Any and all of these common situations can cause a nasty burn!

According to the Cleveland Clinic, nearly half a million Americans go to the emergency department every year for medical care for burn injuries.

We’ve all probably experienced a first-degree burn (like most sunburns). Who doesn’t remember the sting! Burns are classified by severity of skin damage. First-degree burns may cause the top layer of the skin to turn red and eventually peel. First-degree burns and some small second-degree burns can be treated at home, according to Trenten Martinez, D.O., an American Board of Emergency Medicine certified physician at Physicians Premier, a free-standing emergency room located west of Highway 281 on Highway 46 near the HEB Plus.

Immerse the burn in cool water (But don’t apply ice) and take over-the-counter medication to combat pain. Aloe vera gel provides sunburn relief.

Second-degree burns are defined by the presence of blistering. They are further classified into two categories, the most important difference for patients being the presence of pain. Pain is a good sign, although it means you burned deep enough to hit superficial nerves. These types usually heal without scarring. For burns that cause blistering encompassing an area smaller than the palm of your hand that are not located on your face, genitalia, palms, soles of your feet, across joints, or circumferential around any body part, apply antibiotic ointment or egg white and cover lightly with non-stick gauze. Egg white has absorbable essential amino acids and vitamins required for the body to heal, not to mention antimicrobial/anti-inflammatory effects. Seek medical attention as soon as possible for burns that blister that do not meet the criteria.

Burns that blister without pain signify a depth deeper than the superficial nerves. These burns need to be evaluated as they may require hospital admission to a burn specialty center. Regardless of the severity, you need to keep all burns clean and apply proper dressings, said Dr. Martinez. Even first and second-degree burns can become infected and cause skin discoloration and scarring.

Warning signs to look for: Burns that don’t improve after two weeks, severe pain, fever, yellow or green discharge, or other signs of infection.

Third-degree burns affect the body all the way down to the fat. This type of burn also destroys hair follicles and sweat glands. Because third-degree burns damage nerve endings, you probably won’t feel pain in the area of the burn itself, rather in the tissue adjacent to it. Third-degree burns can be life-threatening and often require immediate emergency intervention. Depending on severity, treatment may include IV fluids to prevent dehydration and shock, IV antibiotics, blood clot formation prevention, hospitalization to a burn center, daily wound care and likely skin grafts. If a person experiences electrical burn, burns with smoke exposure/ inhalation of smoke in enclosed fires or if someone’s skin or eye color looks changed, rush the individual to the emergency room immediately.

If in any doubt, the trained emergency physicians at Physician Premier are ready to evaluate, educate and treat your medical problem. Accidental burns can happen at any time. Physicians Premier allows patients to access the care they need when they need it, saving time, money, alleviating concern and allowing for a healthier patient and community. Find them at MDpremier.com.