Treatment of Second-Degree Oil Burn on Hand and Forearm
Immediately cool the burn with clean running water for at least 10 minutes to limit tissue damage and reduce pain. 1, 2
Initial First Aid Management
- Cool the burn with clean running water for 10-20 minutes to minimize tissue damage and reduce pain 1, 2
- If running water is not available, use a clean cool or cold (but not freezing) compress as a substitute 1
- Remove any jewelry from the affected area before swelling occurs to prevent constriction and vascular ischemia 2, 3
- Monitor for hypothermia, especially when cooling large burns 1, 2
- Do NOT apply ice directly to the burn as it can produce tissue ischemia 1, 2
- Do NOT apply butter, oil, or other home remedies to the burn 2, 4
Treatment After Cooling
- After cooling, loosely cover the burn with a clean, non-adherent dry dressing 1
- Administer over-the-counter pain medications such as acetaminophen or NSAIDs for pain relief 1, 3
- Do NOT break blisters as this increases infection risk 2, 3
- For home management of small burns, it may be reasonable to apply petrolatum, petrolatum-based antibiotic ointment, or aloe vera after cooling 1, 4
When to Seek Medical Attention
This second-degree burn requires medical evaluation because:
- It involves the hand, which is a high-risk area for functional impairment 1, 2
- It has blistering (characteristic of second-degree burns) 1, 3
- The size (10 cm x 3 cm) may represent a significant percentage of body surface area 2, 3
Medical Treatment Options
- A healthcare provider may prescribe silver sulfadiazine cream for prevention and treatment of wound infection in second-degree burns 5
- Application of silver sulfadiazine should be to a thickness of approximately 1/16 inch, once to twice daily 5, 6
- Specialized burn dressings may be applied by healthcare professionals 3, 7
- Surgical evaluation may be necessary for deep second-degree burns, especially on the hand 3, 8
Important Considerations
- Hand burns require special attention due to risk of functional impairment 3, 8
- The American Burn Association recommends that second-degree burns involving the hands be treated in a specialized burn center 1, 3
- Monitor for signs of infection including increased pain, redness, swelling, or purulent drainage 2, 9
- Follow-up care is essential to ensure proper healing and minimize scarring 8, 9