When cooking in the kitchen, if you’re not careful while frying, hot oil can splatter onto your hands, causing blisters that can become itchy and lead to sores, especially at night. Is there a way to treat this effectively? (Nguyễn Văn Triệu Phong)
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(Photo: TTO) |
– Dr. Nguyễn Đình Sang (Family Medicine Specialist, District 1 Medical Center): Burns are common accidents in household activities. Burns are typically classified into three degrees:
– First-degree burns: These burns only affect the epidermis (the outermost layer of skin). The skin becomes red and peels off after a few days (for example, sunburn from sunbathing on the beach).
– Second-degree burns: These burns affect the dermis, forming blisters, but part of the dermis remains intact, allowing the skin to regenerate. Therefore, when healed, they usually do not leave scars unless there is a severe infection or a large burn area.
– Third-degree burns: This type completely destroys the skin, sometimes reaching muscle and bone.
Burns can also be classified based on the body surface area affected. The larger the burn area, the more severe the burn. A burn is considered severe when the burn area exceeds 20% of the body surface area and is a third-degree burn. Additionally, older adults and children often experience more severe consequences from burns.
If hot oil has splattered onto your hand, causing blisters, it is classified as a second-degree burn. Here’s what you should do:
– Immediately immerse your hand in cold running water or apply a clean, cold, damp cloth to the burn until the pain subsides.
– Cover the burn with sterile gauze.
– Do not apply substances like toothpaste or fish sauce to the burn, as they can lead to infection and increased fluid loss.
– Avoid puncturing any blisters.
– If blisters have already broken, clean the burn with a saline solution, cover it lightly with sterile gauze without dust, or leave it uncovered but keep it clean to promote healing.
Consider using antibiotics to prevent infection, pain relievers (such as paracetamol), and antihistamines (such as chlorpheniramine 4mg, taken once at night).
