How to properly deal with blisters caused by boiling water?

In daily life, we can easily get scalded by boiling water if we are not careful. This can easily cause blisters. The appearance of blisters indicates that the skin has suffered second-degree burns. If the blisters caused by scalding are relatively large, you should go to the hospital in time to remove the blisters and then take anti-inflammatory treatment. In addition, you should avoid getting it wet to prevent infection, and keep the wound area ventilated and dry, so that recovery will be faster.

Blisters are a sign of second-degree burns

When blisters quickly form on the injured area after a patient is scalded or burned, burn doctors will generally classify such symptoms as second-degree burns or superficial second-degree burns. Although some patients develop blisters after being scalded or burned, they do not feel much pain. Doctors also ask everyone not to prick the blisters with needles, and not to drain the water inside after pricking the blisters, because doing so can easily lead to bacterial infection. Second-degree burns are clinically divided into two types: superficial second-degree burns and deep second-degree burns.

1. Superficial second-degree burns: Superficial second-degree burns are dermal injuries. The clinical manifestations are obvious local redness and swelling of the affected area, and the formation of blisters of varying sizes containing yellow plasma-like fluid or protein coagulation colloid. When the blisters rupture, a flushed wound surface can be seen. The texture is soft and the temperature is high, and the patient feels severe pain.

2. Deep second degree burns: Deep second degree burns are injuries deep in the dermis with residual skin appendages. The clinical manifestations are smaller or flatter blisters, slightly dull sensation, and slightly lower skin temperature.

Should burn blisters be popped?

Why don’t you pop the blisters that appear after scalds and burns yourself under the guidance of a doctor, as this can easily lead to bacterial infection? Xiao Changming, director of the Burns and Plastic Surgery Department of Neijiang First People's Hospital, explained: Small blisters appear on the local skin after a burn, which is generally a shallow second-degree burn. The main substances in these blister fluids are electrolytes, glucose, fibrin, etc. These nutrients combined form a good culture medium for bacteria. Therefore, if blisters are not handled properly, it can easily lead to wound infection.

Whether to pop the blisters caused by burns depends on the situation. Generally speaking, small blisters do not need to be punctured. Keep the area dry. The blister skin is a good protective film that can prevent infection. It is best to let it absorb and heal on its own.

Standard treatment method for large blisters: After local disinfection, use a sterile syringe to aspirate the blister fluid or pierce the epidermis with a needle at the lowest point of the blister to release the fluid, and gently squeeze with a sterile cotton swab to allow the blister fluid to fully flow out at a low position while retaining the blister epidermis. Then bandage with a sterile dressing, keep the local area clean and dry, and it will heal faster. If you follow the above steps, the blisters will soon scab, dry and heal themselves. If the blisters are contaminated and become infected, seek medical attention immediately.