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What Causes Blister Around A Burn Wound?
Question: Hello,
I have a burn on my forearm from an oven coil. It's about 2 inches long and 1/4" wide. It was pretty much completely healed. First it was charred skin and wasn't painful. Then as that peeled off it was wet and hurt to the touch. But that has since healed and all that was left was new pink skin growing. This was over a month ago. 2days ago I noticed what looked like a blister starting. Now it's a quarter inch long blister in the middle of the healed skin. It's raised and pink. The skin over it is tough. It still isn't painful but I'm concerned that it's doing this after it healed. I did get cellulitus once after a bee sting so I'm not sure if I'm prone to infections. Should I do to the Dr or will conservative home treatment work? Thank you.
I have a burn on my forearm from an oven coil. It's about 2 inches long and 1/4" wide. It was pretty much completely healed. First it was charred skin and wasn't painful. Then as that peeled off it was wet and hurt to the touch. But that has since healed and all that was left was new pink skin growing. This was over a month ago. 2days ago I noticed what looked like a blister starting. Now it's a quarter inch long blister in the middle of the healed skin. It's raised and pink. The skin over it is tough. It still isn't painful but I'm concerned that it's doing this after it healed. I did get cellulitus once after a bee sting so I'm not sure if I'm prone to infections. Should I do to the Dr or will conservative home treatment work? Thank you.
Brief Answer:
It happens during the process of healing, is perfectly normal, do not worry
Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am and welcome.
Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. The muscle layer, skin, etc; are still in the healing phase; as you see that the superficial appearance of the region is still premature and so a few physiological changes are still taking place underneath which can result in the formation of blisters a while after the burn.
In my opinion, you should visit your doctor only so that he/she can choose whether or not they want to pop the blister, clean the region and provide you with a sterile dressing or not. The only two reasons why I am recommending this (I wouldn't recommend a doctors visit for a blister on normal skin) is primarily because it is over a vulnerable region, and secondly because you have had cellulitis in the past and so I do not want to risk getting the region infected again.
You can also choose to wait it out and let the blister pop on its own, but there is a slight risk of getting the region infected once it does pop. But no this is nothing serious and nothing to raise caution, and for now just let the blister be, do not pop it, no need to cover it either.
I hope you find my response helpful. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I am always here to help.
Best wishes.
It happens during the process of healing, is perfectly normal, do not worry
Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am and welcome.
Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. The muscle layer, skin, etc; are still in the healing phase; as you see that the superficial appearance of the region is still premature and so a few physiological changes are still taking place underneath which can result in the formation of blisters a while after the burn.
In my opinion, you should visit your doctor only so that he/she can choose whether or not they want to pop the blister, clean the region and provide you with a sterile dressing or not. The only two reasons why I am recommending this (I wouldn't recommend a doctors visit for a blister on normal skin) is primarily because it is over a vulnerable region, and secondly because you have had cellulitis in the past and so I do not want to risk getting the region infected again.
You can also choose to wait it out and let the blister pop on its own, but there is a slight risk of getting the region infected once it does pop. But no this is nothing serious and nothing to raise caution, and for now just let the blister be, do not pop it, no need to cover it either.
I hope you find my response helpful. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I am always here to help.
Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you so much. Your expertise is invaluable. I'll wait it out. hate bothering him. I know what infection looks like and if it gets bad I'll go. Do you have any suggestions on a dressing and ointment?
Brief Answer:
Thank you for your kind words :)
Detailed Answer:
Hello once again ma'am.
Applying an ointment would make the region wet and moist, which prevents healing and that is not what we want right now. So the best thing you can do is to leave it open and dry for now, or at the most apply a dry sterile dressing (available at any medical store) over the region for a few hours during the day (or whenever you are leaving home or are afraid of your activities causing friction to the region).
Otherwise, let it run its natural course and you shall be perfectly fine in no time. I wish you a rapid and complete recovery. Please do not hesitate to write to me now or anytime in the future, should you need my assistance.
Best wishes ma'am :)
Thank you for your kind words :)
Detailed Answer:
Hello once again ma'am.
Applying an ointment would make the region wet and moist, which prevents healing and that is not what we want right now. So the best thing you can do is to leave it open and dry for now, or at the most apply a dry sterile dressing (available at any medical store) over the region for a few hours during the day (or whenever you are leaving home or are afraid of your activities causing friction to the region).
Otherwise, let it run its natural course and you shall be perfectly fine in no time. I wish you a rapid and complete recovery. Please do not hesitate to write to me now or anytime in the future, should you need my assistance.
Best wishes ma'am :)
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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