Can wound care ointment treat burns?

There is really no direct answer to this question: "yes" or "no". It all depends on the type of ointment you use and the severity of the burn.

If you were just touched by the edge of the pot while cooking or two drops of boiling water were splashed, which is a first-degree minor burn with only red pain and no blisters, the wound care ointment you used happens to contain panthenol, mild antibacterial ingredients, and a formula that seals and locks moisture. It is really useful. It can not only relieve the burning sensation, but also reduce the loss of epidermal moisture and speed up repair. A while ago, when I was helping my mother carry a casserole, I got burned on my wrist by a pot ear. I rinsed it with cold water for 10 minutes and then applied some wound care ointment containing comfrey extract that I always have at home. The pain was gone that night, and the red marks were much lighter the next day.

But if you make it up with the idea that "it's all about wound care anyway, and it can be applied in any situation", then the probability of stepping into a trap is too high. Nowadays, many clinical nurses remind you not to use non-specific wound care ointments on moderate to severe burns. Last time at a community free clinic, I met a young man who was burned by the exhaust pipe while riding an electric bike. He had three or four peanut-sized bruises on his calf. When it came to the blisters, he applied two thick layers of the ordinary wound care ointment that he usually used on his worn feet from running, thinking that it would heal quickly. However, after two days, the blisters burst and pus leaked out. The entire wound was so swollen that even his pants were stuck to it and could not be torn off. Most of the ordinary wound care ointments are designed for superficial, dry cuts and abrasions. They have strong sealing properties but do not have the deseptic and penetration-promoting ingredients for burns. Applying them to oozing burn wounds will create a breeding ground for bacteria, which will aggravate the infection.

Of course, some pharmacists now hold a different view. They believe that as long as the ingredients are suitable, medical wound care ointments that have been registered and compliant can also be used for mild to moderate burns. However, this prerequisite is that you must understand the ingredient list and accurately judge the degree of burns. How can ordinary people not have this ability? If you make a wrong judgment, you may use the wrong medicine.

Don't rush to find ointment if you really encounter a burn. The highest priority is to run cold water for 15 minutes for cold therapy. If there is only redness but no blisters, there is a compliant medical wound care ointment at home that can be applied in emergency situations. If there are blisters or the burn area is larger than your own hand, don't think about what ointment to use. It is more reliable to go directly to the burn department of the hospital. After all, the judgment of ordinary people is not as professional as that of a doctor.