"I burned myself on a candle. Can I treat this myself or is it better to go to the doctor?'
Drugstore Linda gives advice:
Whether you can treat a burn yourself depends on the degree of burn. Burns come in three different degrees:first degree, second degree and third degree. Burning a candle is a contact combustion (after all, you touch the flame) and generally falls into the first degree category, sometimes also second degree.
Care for a first degree burn yourself
First degree burns have the following characteristics:the skin is not broken, the area is slightly red or swollen, dry and feels painful or stinging. You can take care of a first-degree burn yourself by cooling it with lukewarm, running water for at least ten minutes. Do this preferably with a shower head because of the hardness of the jet. Keep the affected area elevated and only cool the burn area as much as possible. Then lubricate the area with a nourishing, unscented cream to care for the skin. Do not use soap on the skin, it irritates too much. You can take a paracetamol for the pain. Only if a blister develops later that day or the next day is it wise to see a doctor. Also do this if, for example, a fever occurs or if you suffer from other complaints.
Second-degree burns
A small second-degree burn, no larger than a euro, can also be treated yourself. These burns are characterized by wet, shiny red skin, blisters and a painful feeling. If the burn is larger than a dollar or very deep, it is wise to visit your doctor. As an adult, you are fairly good at assessing the type of burn you are dealing with. If you don't trust it, go see your doctor. In any case, I advise children and the elderly to contact their GP, because they belong to a vulnerable group.
Prefer no cooling ointment or spray
Help care providers recommend not treating the affected skin with burn ointments or cooling sprays because these agents make it difficult to make a correct diagnosis if the burn must nevertheless be seen by an expert. Fortunately, there are alternatives to ease the discomfort, for example by covering the burn with a sterile, greasy gauze. Wear protective gloves if you come into contact with dirt.
If you are walking around with a burn blister, never pierce it. A lot of moisture is lost and you increase the risk of infections because the skin underneath has not yet healed. Always disinfect burns well with, for example, betadine ointment or betadine ointment gauze. Do this for at least 3 days, about two or three times a day.
If you want to burn a candle completely safely, buy LED tea lights or candles. Then you have the benefits, but not the burdens.
Who is Linda?
Linda is a certified druggist and works in a drugstore with the Certified Specialist in Self-Care quality mark, which is the quality mark for good advice on over-the-counter medicines. On www.erkendspecialistinzelfzorg.nl you can find out which drugstores in your area have this quality mark and what you as a customer can expect from these drugstores.
