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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Should I Do Anything Else To Prevent Infection From Burn On Forearm?

So I made a really stupid decision 2 days ago and I let someone brand me... The entire burn is a little less than 1 inch by 1 inch and it is on my forearm like 3 inches from my wrist. The burn is a light yellow color and the skin surrounding it is a little red. The area is kind of swollen but it doesn t really hurt that bad when I put pressure on it. Twice a day I clean it with soap and water and then clean it out with hydrogen peroxide, then I put this hospital antiseptic solution (povidone iodine) on it, which is like a film, and then finally cover it with a band aid. Is there any way to tell if it is infected? Should I be doing anything else to prevent infection? I can t go to a doctor so anything I can do at home would be great. Any estimate on how long it will take to heal? Thanks.
Fri, 31 Jul 2015
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
I understand your concern.
If your lesion gets painful, yellowish discharge coming from it, surrounding area becomes red then this are the signs of infection. Currently you are keeping good hygiene of your wound. My advice is don't wash your wound with Hydrogen peroxide as it is usually used to remove dirt and dust from the injured wound and not in burn cases. Secondly apply some antibiotic+antifungal ointment like Betnovate C on the wound. Do not apply bandage on the burn area, keep it open after applying antiseptic cream.
Take tab Aceclofenac twice daily for 5 days for pain, tab famotidine twice daily for 5 days.
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Should I Do Anything Else To Prevent Infection From Burn On Forearm?

I understand your concern. If your lesion gets painful, yellowish discharge coming from it, surrounding area becomes red then this are the signs of infection. Currently you are keeping good hygiene of your wound. My advice is don t wash your wound with Hydrogen peroxide as it is usually used to remove dirt and dust from the injured wound and not in burn cases. Secondly apply some antibiotic+antifungal ointment like Betnovate C on the wound. Do not apply bandage on the burn area, keep it open after applying antiseptic cream. Take tab Aceclofenac twice daily for 5 days for pain, tab famotidine twice daily for 5 days.