What should I do if my hand is scalded by boiling water?

After a hand is scalded by boiling water, it is essential to immediately take steps such as removing the source of heat, rinsing with cool water, cleaning and disinfecting the area, properly dressing the wound, and monitoring care to quickly alleviate injury and prevent infection. If the burn covers a large area, is deep, or if blisters break and become infected, prompt medical attention is recommended.

1. Remove from heat source: Immediately remove the hand from the hot water. Take off or cut away clothing covering the burned area to prevent fabric from sticking to the wound and worsening the injury. Handle gently to avoid secondary damage.

2. Rinse with cool water: Flush the burned area with clean, cool running water for 15–30 minutes to lower skin temperature, minimize ongoing thermal damage, and reduce redness, swelling, and pain. Ensure the water is not too cold to avoid causing frostbite.

3. Clean and disinfect: After rinsing, gently pat the wound dry with sterile gauze. Apply medical iodine solution (iodophor) for disinfection. Avoid using alcohol or other irritating antiseptics that may increase pain and further damage the tissue.

4. Proper wound dressing: After disinfection, loosely cover the wound with sterile gauze or specialized burn dressings to keep the area clean and dry. Avoid wrapping too tightly to ensure proper blood circulation. For small, superficial burns, leaving the wound exposed may be appropriate.

5. Monitor and care: Closely observe changes in the wound. If redness spreads, pain worsens, or discharge increases, promptly adjust care measures. Do not puncture blisters yourself to prevent infection.

Maintain cleanliness of the injured area in daily care, avoid friction or impact, eat a light diet rich in protein and vitamins, avoid spicy or irritating foods, and refrain from contact with dirty water or irritants during recovery to promote healing.