Treating A Scald Two Weeks On

[cgoody]

Scalded my arm at work, been treated by a & e and nurse at docs. She gave me some gel yesterday that she called 50: 50 and told me use it 3 times a day. However when I apply it it makes my injury warm and maybe I am allergic to it? What is 50:50? Can I be using anything else to keep it moistened whilst it is healing. Have on only a loose tubee shell as nurse says air needs to get to it. Anyone got experience of 2nd degree scald?
Thanks

[Daffy6543]

http://www.nhs.uk/Medicine-Guides/pages/MedicineOverview.aspx?medicine=50:50%20ointment

Its just an emollient cream but you could be allergic or sensitive to it.

[Buenchico]

I'm surprised that you're being advised to apply any sort of gel to your wound. That seems to go against all of the advice that's taught in first aid courses and, indeed, which is given on the NHS website:
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Burns-and-scalds/Pages/Recovery.aspx

If it was me, I'd be heading to a pharmacy to buy some Melolin dressings and use them (shiny side down, of course!) affixed loosely over the burn by fabric adhesive strapping around the edge of the dressing (not over it), with no further treatment (unless I'd been prescribed prophylactic antibiotics)

[cgoody]

I don't know what to do now as I have tried those shiny wound dressing and it just irritated the area.
I did have a dressing called tricortex which was good (silk like) but they wouldn't give me any more and said I didn't need them.
Do I need to moisturize it? I think it will take a while to heal completely.

[shaneystar2]

I scalded the inside of my wrist pretty badly a while ago.I had to go to the walk in centre daily to have it dressed for about a week .They used Flamizine on it which was lovely and cold and some sort of special non stick dressing until it started to heal.
You'll have to be brave and let the air get to it now for it to dry and heal properly. Try and keep it as dry as possible .You can buy a special burn shield in Boots to put on when you bathe or shower . Once it starts to dry up aloe vera gel will soothe and keep the skin soft .

[cgoody]

Shaneystar2 exactly same place I have mine.(left)
I had the scald dressed every day for 12 days and now its starting to dry up. What aloe vera did you use?

[RATTER15]

Go to your GP and see a nurse and explain the situation, its good asking for advice for something like this on a forum where everybody will have a different idea and you won't know who is right or wrong and we haven't seen the wound, they aren't all the same. Get professional advice at your surgery!

[shaneystar2]

I use aloe vera gel from Holland & Barret.
Good stuff for any sort of burns including sunburn.Very soothing.
http://www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/holland-barrett-aloe-vera-gel-60002672?c=aloe%20vera

[fbg40]

cgoody
Totally in agreement with Buenchico - no creams/ointments should be applied o burns. As an ex fireman we were taught NEVER put anything on a burn apart from a clean dressing. I once took a colleague to A & E with a nasty burn to his wrist - they just put a large Melolin dressing on it and told him to replace the dressing every day until healed.
FBG40

[Sqad]

Fbg40...... Agreed........but the OP is now 2 weeks ON and this changes the management.......surely?

[Mamyalynne]

I vote with Shaney for Aloe Vera - 2 weeks on and starting to dry up, it is very soothing in long term aftercare.

[Sqad]

Yes.......Inthink that I agree with mamy......it seems now to be healing.

[fbg40]

Sorry Sqad, missed the bit concerning length of time since the "accident".
FBG40

[Sqad]

fbg...;-) no big deal.

[cgoody]

Thanks everyone,
I have been following professional advice.........nurses instruction on Tuesday.

The wound has improved a lot and healing well and not looking so angry.
I feel happier now and coping well.
I am working and managing to protect it. I stopped the 50: 50 and have used a small amount of vaseline and that seems okay. I will buy some aloe vera (gel or ointment?) and see how I go.
Thank you everyone. I appreciate your comments.

[Mamyalynne]

I'd choose a gel formulation in your situation.

[fbg40]

cgoody
You're welcome - and thanks sqad !
FBG40