Burn infection?

[bishy barnaby]

Hey so I woke up on Saturday with 2 burns on my arm... I got pretty drunk on Friday night. It took me a while to remember that I had burnt myself. Anyway I had not covered the burns before going to sleep on Friday night and when I woke up the top layer of skin had torn off, during sleep I guess, and I now have 2 holes in my arm. They have both got a thin layer of skin that has now grown over the initial burns but they are both very red around the burn, and painful and the burns themselves are a yellow-y pus type colour.

I was just wondering if they may be infected, thought I would ask here before going to the doctors just in case their not.

Thanks

[Animad]

What's the discharge like? Is that thick and coloured or is it really thin (even if it is coloured, if it's thin and straw coloured that is normal). Also, is there any smell to it? Is the reddening getting any worse? And the same with regards to pain and swelling? If it is then it is likely that they are infected and if they are then they need to be checked out. The same as if they are discharging pus. Pus is thick and usually yellow-green. If the discharge is thin that is normal and due to healing and so not due to infection though it can not have pus but still show the other signs of infection. If it has pus then I'd say definitely get it checked out as that is a sign that is is on the worse side of an infection and one that your body is not fighting as well and therefore needs to be looked at by a doctor and potentially be treated with antibiotics creams, tablets or both. Also, make sure you have a dressing on it and if it is oozing quite a bit change it twice a day. I'd recommend using antiseptic cream on the inner surface of the dressing too given that it wasn't clean at the time so it is at a higher risk potentially of infection. Otherwise, if you're using burns plasters then don't use antiseptic cream (or if you're using normal dressings and savlon healing gel) however, you should stop using these types of dressings or that gel if you at all suspect infection.

If you are unsure what to do then it may be better for you to get them checked out. With tomorrow being a bank holiday then it is probably better you going to a Minor Injuries Unit or an NHS Walk-In Centre rather than wait until tuesday to contact your doctors (who will then also be busier because of backlog from not being open on Monday).

[bishy barnaby]

thanks, there is not discharge atm. The redness has become more prominent today and the skin has swollen around the burns. From what you've said it doesn't sound like they are infected so thank you. I don't normally have any trouble with burns, so just wanted to post to see if it was normal. If there is any discharge in the next few days I'll go to the doctors. Thanks for your reply.

[Animad]

As it sounds like it's infected it's better to go now then wait. Usually the swelling will reduce after the first couple of days as well as the redness and as you say that's getting worse it is sign of an infection and it may be one that your body is fighting itself but on the otherhand they are easier to treat the earlier you get them seen.

I'd suggest that if you want to wait and see before you get it checked instead of going tomorrow/ tues then to dress it with antiseptic/ antibacterial cream on the inner surface of the dressing (apply it to the dressing and not the wound as that can get bacteria on to the tube and therefore potentially in the cream).

[bishy barnaby]

ok, thanks, i'll go get it looked at. thank you