Regarding this issue, Master of Science, Doctor Pham Duy Linh, Department of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery (Duc Giang General Hospital) answers as follows: Burns are a common injury in daily life. Burn injuries are very diverse and complex. Therefore, the sequelae they leave for patients are very severe, especially burns in certain areas which, if not treated properly, can lead to disability.

Recently, Duc Giang General Hospital treated a patient with a hand infection caused by previous improper treatment of a burn. The patient was admitted with an infected burn wound on the left hand, with significant yellow discharge and a dirty pseudomembrane. The patient underwent examination and ordered paraclinical tests to rule out associated injuries, ultimately leading to a diagnosis of an infected skin defect on the back of the hand (T) due to a burn and improper treatment.

Doctors and nurses at Hung Vuong General Hospital treat burn wounds in a child patient. Photo: VNA.

The patient stated that about a month prior, they had suffered a burn from boiling water (soup). They went to a friend's house in the village for treatment, where an unknown medicine was applied to their hand. They went there daily for dressing changes and care. However, the injury worsened, becoming infected and oozing severe yellow pus. Only then did the patient seek treatment at Duc Giang General Hospital.

After stabilizing the patient's overall condition, the doctors performed surgery to debride and clean the wound. The patient received treatment and daily wound dressing changes. After 7 days of treatment, the wound condition improved, the infection cleared, and the granulation tissue turned red and clean. The patient will need another surgery to close the defect and fully restore hand function. In this patient's case, if not promptly hospitalized and treated aggressively, it would have led to severe infection, spreading deep into the tendons and muscles, causing more severe damage to the left hand, and potentially leading to sepsis.

Therefore, when burned by boiling water, the burned area should be quickly immersed in clean, cool water to clean the wound and prevent infection, then gently rinsed with cool water. This helps soothe the wound, prevent pain, swelling, and further damage to the burn. Afterward, use a clean gauze or small piece of cloth to bandage the burned area, avoiding contact with dirt. Finally, quickly transport the burned person to the nearest medical facility for timely treatment. Absolutely do not apply any unknown herbal remedies or traditional medicines to the burned area, as this will only worsen the burn and increase the risk of infection.

Please send your health-related questions to the "Your Doctor" section, Economic -Social-Internal Affairs Editorial Department, People's Army Newspaper, 8 Ly Nam De Street, Hang Ma Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi. Email: kinhte@qdnd.vn, kinhtebqd@gmail.com. Telephone: 0243.8456735.

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