How to Cure Blistering Burns on Fingers

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This article was co-written by Mohiba Tareen, MD. Mohiba Tareen is a dermatologist and founder of Tareen Dermatpogy based in Roseville, Maplewood and Faribault, Minnesota. Dr. Tareen completed her medical degree at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where she was inducted into the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha society. During her time as a resident in dermatology at Cpumbia University in New York City, she won the New York Dermatological Society’s Conrad Stritzler Award and appeared in The New England Journal of Medicine. Tareen then completed a doctoral program specializing in skin surgery, laser and cosmetic dermatology.

There are 13 references cited in this article that you can view at the bottom of the page.

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Ai! Have you just touched something, and your finger has burned and blistered? Blisters and redness of the skin are signs of a second-degree burn. This burn can be very painful and lead to complications if not treated properly. ^{[1] X Source of Research} You can treat blistering burns on your fingers by providing quick first aid, washing and caring for the wound, and facilitating its healing.

Table of Contents

Quick first aid

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Dip your finger in cool water. After withdrawing your finger from the source of the burn, place your finger under cool running water. Keep it like that for 10-15 minutes. You can also wrap a towel dipped in cool water around your burned finger for the same time or dip your finger in a bowl of water if there is no running tap. ^{[2] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to the source} This step can limit pain, reduce swelling, and prevent tissue damage. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

Avoid placing your fingers under cold, warm water or on ice, as this will aggravate burns and blisters. ^{[4] X Research Sources}
Cold water has the effect of washing the burn, reducing swelling and helping the wound to heal, while limiting scarring.

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Remove jewelry or other objects under cool water. The cold temperature will help reduce swelling. While cooling your finger with water or a damp washcloth, remove rings or other objects that tightly wrap around the finger. Do it as quickly and gently as possible before the wound swells. Water will reduce discomfort when removing jewelry. This step will allow you to better handle burned and blistered fingers. ^{[5] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

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Avoid breaking the blister. You can quickly notice small blisters that are no larger than a fingernail. You should leave it as it is to prevent bacteria growth and infection. If the blister breaks, gently wash it with water and mild soap, then apply antibiotic ointment and cover with a nonstick gauze. ^{[6] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

Seek medical attention for large blisters. Your doctor may have to pop the blisters to reduce the risk of them bursting on their own or becoming infected.

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Go to the emergency room. In some cases, blistering burns may require emergency medical care. If you have the following symptoms, go to the nearest emergency room or medical center: ^{[7] X Research Source}

Severe blistering
Severe pain or no pain at all
Entire finger or multiple fingers burned

Wash and bandage the burn

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Wash burns and blisters. Gently wash the injured finger with water and mild soap. ^{[8] X Source of Study} Gently rub the wound, being careful not to break the blisters. This step can help reduce the risk of infection. ^{[9] X Research Source}

Treat each blistered finger individually.

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Let your fingers dry naturally. Burns develop within 24-48 hours of exposure to the source of the burn. Things like wiping your fingers with a towel can add to your pain and discomfort. ^{[10] X Source of Study} Allow fingers to air dry before applying ointment and dressing. This step can draw heat away from the burn, reducing the risk of blistering and reducing pain. ^{[11] X Research Source}

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Cover the burn with sterile gauze. Before applying the ointment, you need to cool the burn. A thin layer of sterile dressing over the blister will help cool the burn and protect it from bacteria. ^{[12] X Source of Study} Change gauze if blister ruptures or oozes fluid. Keeping the wound clean and dry can prevent infection.

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Apply ointment to unbroken skin. After 24-48 hours, apply a therapeutic and protective ointment to the burn. ^{[13] X Research Source} Only do this if blisters are intact and skin is not broken. ^{[14] X Source of Study} Apply a thin layer of the following products to burned and blistered skin: ^{[15] X Source of Study}

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

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Avoid oral therapies. One folk remedy for burns is to apply butter to the burn. Avocados are actually heat-retaining and can cause infections. ^{[16] X Research Source} To prevent burns from retaining heat and infection, you need to avoid applying household products such as butter and substances such as: ^{[17] X Research Source}

Toothpaste
Oil
Cow dung ^{[18] X Research source}
Beeswax
Bear fat
Egg
Pork fat

Recovering from burns

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Take pain relievers. Blistering burns can be very painful and swollen. Medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, or acetaminophen work to relieve uncomfortable symptoms caused by pain and swelling. ^{[19] X Research Source}

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Change the dressing daily. You need to keep the bandage clean and dry. Change the dressing at least once a day. Change the dressing if the wound is oozing or wet. This can protect blisters and prevent infection. ^{[20] X Research Source}

Use a saline solution or clean, cool water to wet the sticky area. ^{[21] X Research Source}

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Avoid friction and pressure. The impact and touch as well as friction and pressure on the finger can cause the blister to burst. This condition can disrupt the healing process and lead to infection. Use unburnt hands or fingers and avoid wearing anything near the wound. ^{[22] X Research Source}

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Consider getting a tetanus shot. Blisters can become infected, including tetanus. If you have not had a tetanus shot in the past 10 years, you should get vaccinated to prevent tetanus infection from burns. ^{[23] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

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Watch for signs of infection. Burns can take a while to heal. In some cases, you can get an infection because burns are very susceptible to infection. This condition can lead to more serious problems, such as loss of finger mobility. You need to go to the emergency room right away if the following signs of infection appear on the wound: ^{[24] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to source}

Suppurate
Increased pain, redness and/or swelling
Fever ^{[25] X Research Source}

Things you need

Cool water
Sterile gauze or bandages
Medical adhesive tape
Ointment
Over-the-counter pain relievers

Steps

Quick first aid

Wash and bandage the burn

Recovering from burns

Things you need

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