Dr. Huang Jingyu, a dermatologist, said that the safest way to avoid burns from warm packs is not to fix them in the same position, and remember to put them through clothing.

The picture is for illustration only and has nothing to do with this article.

(AFP)

[Reporter Dong Guanyi/Taipei Report] Recently, media reported that an 80-year-old man who was bedridden, whose family members used warming packs to help keep his feet warm, suffered second-degree burns and extensive skin peeling. The photos are shocking.

Dermatologist Huang Jingyu said that the photo of this case looks like a superficial second-degree burn, and the superficial dermis was also affected by the high temperature, and the epidermis and dermis split to produce blisters.

When ordinary people encounter high temperature discomfort, they usually remove the warm pack, but the elderly may experience abnormal peripheral perception and burn.

He also shared the secrets of using warm packs, principles and precautions for burns.

"Whether a burn is formed or not is exponentially related to temperature and contact time!" Huang Jingyu, a physician at Qunying Yang Lizhen Huang Jingyu Dermatology Clinic, pointed out that the heating temperature of a warm pack is usually between 45 and 50 degrees. When 50 degrees is directly pressed on the skin, it lasts Superficial burns (first degree burns) may occur within 3 to 5 minutes.

Healthy people may feel that 50 degrees is very hot, but the elderly have no strength, can't move their hands and feet, and their peripheral perception is not so good, or they suffer from peripheral circulation problems, diabetes, and nerve endings degeneration, causing abnormal sensations, and the skin does not have time to realize the heat. , there is a possibility of injury.

Please read on...

Skin surface contact with 50 degrees high temperature for 3 minutes may cause first-degree burns

Huang Jingyu suggested that the safest way to avoid burns from warm packs is not to fix them in the same position, and remember to separate them with clothing.

Taking the temperature of 45 degrees as an example, it is best to apply the same position for no more than 10 to 15 minutes. If the contact is continued for 15 to 20 minutes, superficial burns may still occur.

He explained that first-degree (or first-degree) burns are basically superficial injuries, and there are few wounds and no blisters.

Once found, flush cold water immediately, and seek medical advice, ask a doctor to evaluate and prescribe an ointment with antibacterial ingredients to help the skin repair.

If there is a second-degree burn with blisters, flush with water or apply ice first, and the doctor will decide whether to drain the blisters according to the situation.

Blistering, self-poking, beware of bacteria getting into the wound, cool folk remedies, don’t use them indiscriminately

Some people may want to find a tool to puncture the blister by themselves. Huang Jingyu reminded that it is more appropriate to seek the assistance of a professional doctor, because ordinary people cannot be sure whether the household tool is "sterile". When making an opening on the blister, bacteria and microorganisms may be brought in virtually. Wound.

In addition, some injured patients may be disinfected with alcohol or iodine. In principle, there are no obvious symptoms of infection, and they can be cleaned with normal saline, so as not to cause additional irritation and interfere with wound healing.

As for the folk prescription for applying toothpaste on burns, it may be because it contains mint for its cooling effect, "but this is not a suitable dressing for treating burns."

In addition to no special antibacterial or ingredients that help skin repair, the cooling ingredients will make some people more uncomfortable when the skin is damaged. "Ice compresses or cold water are the best priority steps."

Can the little nurse do it?

Huang Jingyu explained that the little nurse is made of petroleum jelly and mint. It is oily and cool. If you have a burn and no obvious wounds or broken skin, you can rub it on. This cool ingredient will not cause allergies."

It is not recommended to rub the small nurse when it is a second-degree burn and the blisters are broken. The cool ingredients directly contact the damaged area, which may irritate the wound.

Su Yifeng, an attending physician at the Department of Chest Medicine, Yangming District, Taipei City United Hospital, posted a photo on the 26th and pointed out that an 80-year-old man who was bedridden because of the cold weather, and his family members used warming packs to help warm his feet. Burns.

(The picture is taken from Su Yifeng's Facebook page)

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  • scald

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  • blister

  • Elders

  • peeling

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