22Jul/112
How to treat a significant cigar burn?
I burned by upper thigh pretty severely last night by a cigar. The burn is roughly the size of a dime and is blistered. I would like to know how to treat it so it doesn't get infected, I'm fine with having a scar. I have been applying Neosporin to it. Any and all tips are appreciated.
July 22nd, 2011 - 14:03
In fact using Neosporin and keeping the burn covered are the best care for a burn. Do not pop the blister and you should apply a non-adherent dressing to prevent it from sticking and further injuring the tissues. Letting the air get to open wounds a very bad idea and slows down the healing. If you remember that wounds heal by having new blood vessels fill in the wound from the bottom (granulation tissue) and also having the elastic sides of the wound pull the wound together, then allowing the air to get to the open wound means that a scab will form. If you consider a scab as a hard, dry rock in the middle of the wound, you can see why this rock would prevent the wound from healing as it does not allow the granulation tissue and prevents the wound from pulling itself together. Keep the wound covered, protected and moist and the adjacent skin dry (maceration of the skin allows it to be injured more easily) and this should heal very quickly.
July 22nd, 2011 - 14:03
Neosporin is not the best thing to put on a burn. You should go to the drug store and get some of the special burn gel to put on it. Keep it clean, do not pop the blister, leave it open to the air as much as possible as that will promote healing.