Question

My nephew was scalded by hot water and is currently being treated in the hospital. I want to know what the correct method of treatment for a scald burn is?

Answer

  1. Do not wrap the burn after scalding to avoid infection and healing issues.
  2. Avoid using ‘folk’ methods such as applying soy sauce or toothpaste, as they are actually ineffective.
  3. If there are no medications available, first rinse the scalded wound with cold water, then soak the wound in cold water for about half an hour. Generally speaking, the sooner the soaking is done, the better the effect, especially if the water temperature is lower (not below 5 degrees Celsius to avoid frostbite). However, if the wound has already become moist and broken, it should not be soaked further to prevent infection.