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October 06, 2008  
REFERENCE: Ask an Expert

Below are some of the most-recently-answered questions from our Medical Experts. We recommend you read over these questions to see if your question has already been answered.

If your question has not been addressed, please submit your question to the expert by clicking here.



Question:
Hello, the question that I would like to ask is , I burned my leg on the tailpipe of a motorcycle. I can't go to the hospital because I have no insurance. I believe it is a second degree burn on the left leg. can you please tell me of signs to look for when it is healing, and instructions on how to care for the burn? I would appreciate it. thank you.

Dr. Swanson
Terry Swanson Terry Swanson is a Wound Management Consultant at South West Healthcare, Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia. Terry completed her nursing in Springfield, Illinois and was a Neurosurgical nurse before immigrating to Australia in 1988. She developed an interest in perioperative nursing and wound management in the early 90’s. Terry completed her post-graduate education in 1996 and was appointed as a wound management consultant in 1997 at South West Healthcare. She manages a nurse-led regional and outpatient wound management service. Terry was a successful candidate for the Nurse Practitioner Victorian Project in 1999/2000 and will be seeking endorsement as a Nurse Practitioner (Wound Management) in 2001. Terry is active professionally by participating on various state and national committees. She is the Vice President of the Australian Wound Management Association, as well as the immediate past president of the Victorian Wound Management Association.

Terry is currently undertaking study at the University of South Australia, completing a Masters level advanced pharmacology course. Her professional interests include education, mentoring, lecturing, and advocating for nursing and patient's rights.



Answer:
A burn such as the one you described can be deceptive in the real damage that has occurred. The signs of healing are decreased pain and decreased fluid coming out of the wound. The center of the wound when healthy and healing should be beefy red and the edges pink. All wounds go through a phase of healing that causes some redness and warmth around the wound margin and this is normal. What is not normal is if this warmth and redness persists and gets bigger, if you suspect that you have an infection you will need to seek medical attention. The aim of treating a minor burn is to prevent infection, manage the pain and promote healing. There are many types of dressings to treat burns. To determine what type of dressing to use depends on the type of wound, condition of the wound, and how much fluid is coming out of the wound (exudate). Your doctor or pharmacist should assist you with choosing a dressing and/or ointments for helping the wound heal. In the meantime keeping it clean and covered will protect the fragile tissue. Terry Swanson RN WMC

   
Ask an Expert Archives
19-May-01
Hello, the question that I would like to ask is , I burned my leg on the tailpipe of a motorcycle... 

18-May-01
My boyfriend has a open wound on his interior left leg. It has been there for some time now. 2 blist... 

16-May-01
What does it mean when the urine comes out brown?... 

16-May-01
I periodically develop little blisters under my right foot. They are more or less in the middle of t... 

16-May-01
I am a school nurse in a public school setting. Our policy is to use neosporin as part of first aid... 

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