How to Treat a Blistering Burn on Your Finger

Ouch! You’ve just touched something, and now your finger is burned and blistered? Blistering and redness are signs of a second-degree burn. This type of burn can be quite painful and may lead to complications if not treated properly. You can treat a blistering burn on your finger by applying quick first aid, cleaning and caring for the wound, and promoting faster healing.

Submerge your finger in cool water. After pulling your finger away from the burn source, place it under cool running water for 10-15 minutes. Alternatively, you can wrap a cool, damp cloth around the burned finger or dip it into a bowl of cool water if running water isn’t available. This step helps relieve pain, reduce swelling, and prevent tissue damage.

• Avoid putting your finger under cold water, warm water, or ice, as this will worsen the burn and blister.
• Cool water cleanses the burn, reduces swelling, speeds up healing, and helps prevent scarring.

Remove jewelry or any other items under cool water. The cold temperature will help reduce swelling. While cooling your finger with water or a damp cloth, take off rings or other items that are tightly around your finger. Do this quickly and gently before the injury swells. The water will make it easier to remove the jewelry. This step will allow you to manage the burned and blistered finger better.

Avoid popping the blister. You may quickly notice small blisters that are no larger than your fingernail. It is best to leave them intact to prevent bacteria from developing and causing infection. If the blister does break, gently wash it with mild soap and water, then apply an antibiotic ointment and cover it with a non-stick dressing.

• Seek medical care for large blisters. A doctor may need to pop the blister to reduce the risk of it bursting on its own or becoming infected.

Seek emergency medical care. In some cases, blistering burns may require immediate emergency attention. If you experience any of the following symptoms, head to the nearest emergency room or medical center:

• Severe blisters
• Intense pain or complete lack of pain
• Burning of an entire finger or multiple fingers

Clean the burn and blistered area. Gently wash the injured finger with water and mild soap. Gently rub the area without popping any blisters. This step helps minimize the risk of infection.

• Treat each blistered finger separately.

Allow your finger to dry naturally. A burn typically progresses within 24-48 hours after exposure to the heat source. Actions like pressing a towel to the finger can cause more pain and discomfort. Let your finger dry naturally before applying ointment and bandaging it. This step helps draw heat away from the burn, reducing the risk of blister rupture and alleviating pain.

Cover the burn with sterile gauze. Before applying ointment, it's essential to cool the burn down. A light, sterile bandage over the blistered area will help cool the burn and protect the wound from bacteria. Change the gauze if the blister breaks or leaks. Keeping the wound clean and dry helps prevent infection.

Apply ointment to undamaged skin. After 24-48 hours, apply a treatment ointment to protect the burn. Do this only if the blisters are still intact and the skin hasn't broken. Gently apply a thin layer of the following products to the burned and blistered area:

• Antibiotic ointment
• Fragrance-free, alcohol-free moisturizer
• Honey
• Silver sulfadiazine cream
• Aloe vera gel or cream

Avoid using folk remedies. A common home remedy for burns is applying butter. However, butter retains heat and could cause infection. To prevent heat retention and infection, avoid applying household products like butter, as well as the following substances:

• Toothpaste
• Oil
• Manure
• Beeswax
• Bear fat
• Eggs
• Pork lard

Take pain relievers. Blistered burns can be extremely painful and swollen. Medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, or acetaminophen can help alleviate the discomfort caused by the pain and swelling.

Change the bandage daily. It's important to keep the bandage clean and dry. Change the dressing at least once a day, and replace it if the wound starts leaking or becomes wet. This can protect the blistered burn and prevent infection.

• Use a saline solution or clean, cool water to dampen any part of the bandage that sticks.

Avoid friction and pressure. Impact, touch, and pressure on the burned finger can cause the blister to burst. This can disrupt the healing process and lead to infection. Use your unburned hand or finger, and avoid wearing anything near the injury.

Consider getting a tetanus shot. Blistered burns are prone to infection, including tetanus. If you haven't had a tetanus shot in the past 10 years, it's recommended that you get vaccinated to prevent a tetanus infection caused by the burn.

Watch for signs of infection. Burns can take time to heal. In some cases, you may develop an infection as burns are highly susceptible to inflammation. This can lead to more serious issues, such as loss of finger movement. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any signs of infection in the wound such as:

• Pus discharge
• Increased pain, redness, and/or swelling
• Fever

• Cool water
• Gauze or sterile bandages
• Medical adhesive tape
• Ointment
• Over-the-counter pain relievers