What is the treatment for a mouth blister caused by a food burn?

Treatment for Mouth Blister from Food Burn

Leave the blister intact, cover it loosely with a sterile or clean dressing, and manage pain with over-the-counter analgesics while monitoring for signs of infection.

Immediate First Aid

• Cool the burn immediately with tap water at 15-25°C for at least until pain is relieved, ideally within 30 minutes of the injury 1
• Never apply ice directly to the burn, as this causes tissue ischemia and increases tissue damage 1, 2
• Remove any oral jewelry or piercings before swelling occurs to prevent vascular compromise 1

Blister Management

The most important principle is to keep the blister intact. The American Heart Association and American Red Cross recommend leaving burn blisters intact and covering them loosely with a sterile dressing 1. This approach is superior because:

• The intact blister acts as a natural biological barrier that protects the underlying wound from infection and contamination 1
• Keeping the blister intact significantly decreases pain compared to rupturing it 1
• Multiple studies demonstrate better healing outcomes when blisters remain intact 1

If the Blister is Tense and Causing Significant Discomfort

• Pierce the blister at the base with a sterile needle to drain fluid while preserving the blister roof 1
• After drainage, leave the blister roof intact as it continues to serve as a biological dressing 1
• Never completely rupture or unroof the blister in the first aid setting 1

Wound Care Protocol

After initial cooling and blister management:

• Gently irrigate the area with warmed sterile water, saline, or dilute chlorhexidine if available 1
• Apply petrolatum, petrolatum-based antibiotic ointment, honey, or aloe vera over the blister 1
• Cover loosely with a clean nonadherent dressing 1, 2
• Change dressings as needed, maintaining cleanliness during changes 2

Pain Management

• Use over-the-counter analgesics such as acetaminophen or NSAIDs for pain control 1, 2
• Topical benzocaine products may be used for oral pain, but discontinue if symptoms do not improve in 7 days or if irritation worsens 3

Infection Prevention and Monitoring

• Monitor daily for signs of infection including increasing redness, purulent drainage, foul odor, or worsening pain 1
• Do not use prophylactic antibiotics routinely for simple burn blisters 4, 2
• Apply topical antimicrobials like silver sulfadiazine only if there are clinical signs of infection, not prophylactically 1, 2

Expected Healing Timeline

• Oral burn blisters typically heal within 7-10 days after rupture 5
• The blister usually breaks spontaneously, releasing bloody content and leaving an ulcer surface that heals without scarring 6, 5

When to Seek Medical Attention

Seek immediate professional evaluation if:

• The burn involves a large area of the mouth or throat 1
• There are signs of difficulty breathing or swallowing 1
• Signs of infection develop (increasing pain, swelling, redness, purulent discharge, fever) 1, 2
• Symptoms do not improve within 7 days 3
• The blister is associated with systemic symptoms like fever or malaise 4

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Do not puncture or completely unroof blisters in the home setting 1, 7
• Do not apply ice or ice water directly to the burn 1, 2
• Do not delay cooling the burn—it should be done as soon as possible within 30 minutes of injury 1
• Do not apply butter, oil, or other home remedies to burns 2
• Do not use silver sulfadiazine for prolonged periods on superficial burns as it may delay healing 2