Table of contents:
- How to treat wounds caused by hot water
- 1. Cools the skin
- 2. Cover scalded areas
- 3. Check back
- 4. Doing home remedies
When exposed to or scalded, the skin will usually blister. If not treated immediately, the scalded wound from being scalded will be very painful and sore. Come on, take a peek at how to treat wounds from hot water below.
How to treat wounds caused by hot water
When your skin is scalded, try not to panic. Notice first whether your skin has minor or very severe burns. If it's still mild, you can treat it at home without having to go to the hospital.
1. Cools the skin
As soon as you are exposed to hot water, try to immediately put the item containing the hot water out of your reach. If you use accessories or jewelery on the blister, remove it immediately as this can cause swelling of the skin. This method is the first aid for treating wounds from hot water.
Then, run the area over the blister with cold water for 20 minutes. This is done to remove heat on the skin. Try not to use ice cubes or water filled with ice cubes.
If the scalded area is very large, do not immediately throw yourself in the cold water. Sudden changes in body temperature can worsen skin conditions.
2. Cover scalded areas
Once the blister has cooled down, wrap the area with a clean cloth or slightly damp bandage or sterile gauze. This is done so that the skin is not exposed to bacteria or any infection.
3. Check back
Actually, burns that occur due to contact with hot water are classified as minor. You can treat the wound at home. However, there are some symptoms that require you to go to the hospital for medical help.
- The wound is bigger than your hand
- The scalded areas include the face, hands, arms, legs, or genitals.
- Very severe pain
- You don't feel well or have a history of diabetes
- If your child is experiencing this and you are not sure how to handle it
4. Doing home remedies
Apart from going to the hospital, another way to treat wounds that have been hit by hot water is to do home care. Well, here are some tips that you can do if you get scalded and the wound is not so severe, aka it's still relatively mild.
- Do not apply creams, oils or butter, toothpaste and ointments to the scalded area.
- Change the bandage that covers the wound at least twice a day or if it feels damp.
- Do not break any lumps the blister may have caused.
- Keep covering the burned area until it heals.
In addition to the methods above, you can also take painkillers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Both can be used to treat pain that arises from being scalded.
However, it is highly recommended to consult your doctor first before consuming it. In addition, if you experience symptoms of infection or your wound is getting bigger, consult a doctor immediately.
