Question
Doctor, my baby who is 14 months old accidentally burned the inner side of the arm and armpit with boiling water. The arm has broken skin. I used iodine alcohol for sterilization and then applied a moist burn ointment. It’s been a day, and I haven’t given it another sterilization because I read that iodine alcohol is used for intact skin and cannot be used on broken skin, right? I’m also not sure what other sterilizing agent to use. Moreover, I haven’t gone to the hospital yet.
Answer
Iodine alcohol swabs can be used for disinfection as they are relatively less irritating. After a burn, blisters may form, which usually indicates a second-degree burn. If the blisters are small, they typically heal on their own. However, if the blisters are large, it is necessary to visit the hospital promptly. In a sterile environment, professionals will drain the fluid from the blisters, disinfect the area, and then apply burn ointment. It is best to go to the hospital’s surgical department for debridement and dressing changes to thoroughly remove foreign matter from the wound and prevent infection and inflammation. Oral anti-inflammatory medication can be taken in conjunction with this, avoid eating spicy and irritating food, maintain a light diet, have regular sleep patterns, and ensure adequate sleep. The medication should be changed daily, and the wound should not come into contact with water to prevent infection.