Did you touch something that burned and blistered your finger? Blisters and reddened skin indicate a 2nd degree burn. They are painful and can lead to complications if not treated properly. You can treat a blister on your finger by doing the first treatment, cleaning and treating the wound, and speeding up recovery.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Performing the First Treatment
Step 1. Wash your fingers with cold water
Once burned, immediately place the finger under running water. Hold for 10-15 minutes. You can also wrap your finger in a damp towel for the same amount of time, or soak your finger in water if you can't access the faucet. This can minimize pain, reduce swelling, and prevent tissue damage.
- Do not wash your fingers with ice, warm water, or ice. This can make burns and blisters worse.
- Plain water will clean the burn, reduce swelling, and speed healing with just a small scar.
Step 2. Remove any jewelry or whatever you were wearing while washing your fingers
Water can reduce swelling. When cooling your finger with water or a damp towel, remove the ring or any other tight object you are wearing on your finger. Do this as quickly and gently as possible before the area becomes swollen. This will minimize the discomfort you will feel if you take it off with dry skin. You can also treat burned and blistered fingers if there are no obstructions.
Step 3. Don't pop the blister
You may see small blisters that are no bigger than a fingernail. Leave it alone so as not to invite bacteria and infection. If the blisters burst on their own, clean them with mild soap and water. Then, apply an antibiotic ointment and a non-sticky gauze bandage.
Seek immediate medical attention if the blisters are large. Your doctor may need to break it down to minimize the risk of it breaking on its own or forming an infection
Step 4. Seek emergency medical attention
In some cases, burns with blisters require immediate medical attention. If you experience any of the following symptoms, go to the nearest emergency room.
- Severe blisters
- Intense pain or no pain at all
- Burns covering the whole finger or several fingers
Part 2 of 3: Cleaning and Dressing the Wound
Step 1. Wash the burned and blistered area
Use mild soap and water to clean burned fingers. Clean gently and carefully so that the blister does not burst. This is to minimize the risk of infection.
Treat each blistered finger one at a time
Step 2. Let the finger dry by itself
Burns form 24-48 hours after contact with hot objects. Drying a burned finger with a towel can make the pain and discomfort worse. Allow the finger to dry on its own before applying the ointment and dressing. This is to remove heat from the burn, reduce the chance of the blisters bursting, and minimize pain.
Step 3. Cover with sterile gauze
Before applying the ointment, allow the wound to cool. By wrapping the blister with a loose, sterile gauze bandage, the area will remain cool and protected from bacteria. Change the gauze if the blister bursts or oozes fluid. Keep the finger area dry and clean to prevent infection.
Step 4. Apply the ointment on the unbroken skin
After 24-48 hours, apply an ointment to heal and protect. Do this only if the blister remains intact and the skin is not sore. Apply a thin layer of the following substance to the burned and blistered area:
- Antibiotic ointment
- Alcohol and fragrance free moisturizer
- Honey
- Silver sulfadiazine cream
- Aloe vera cream or gel
Step 5. Avoid home remedies
An old myth suggests applying butter to burns. However, butter actually retains heat and can cause infection. To prevent heat retention and protect the burned area from infection, do not treat the burn with home remedies such as butter and other substances such as:
- Toothpaste
- Oil
- Cow dung
- beeswax
- Bear fat
- Egg
- Lard
Part 3 of 3: Healing Burns and Blisters
Step 1. Take pain medication
Blisters are sometimes very painful and swollen. Taking medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, or acetaminophen can reduce discomfort from pain and swelling. Pay attention to contraindications and dosage instructions from your doctor or product packaging.
Step 2. Change the bandage daily
Make sure the bandage is clean and dry. Change at least once every day. If you notice any discharge or the bandage is getting wet, replace it with a new bandage. This is to protect the wound and prevent infection.
If the bandage sticks to the wound or blister, soak it in clean or salt water
Step 3. Avoid friction and pressure
Friction and pressure on the finger, or touching something, can cause the blister to burst. This interferes with the recovery process and causes infection. Use your other hand or finger, and don't wear anything tight on the area.
Step 4. Consider a tetanus shot
Blisters can become infected, including tetanus. If you haven't had a tetanus shot in the last 10 years, ask your doctor. This can prevent the development of tetanus due to burns.
Step 5. Watch for signs of infection
Burns may take time to heal. In some cases, you may develop an infection because burns can become infected easily. This creates bigger problems, such as loss of mobility in the fingers. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following signs of infection:
- Discharge of pus from the blister
- Increased pain, redness, and/or swelling
- Fever
