# Burn \[why doesn't it hurt?\] **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 26, 2016, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burn-why-doesnt-it-hurt/766934 "2016-09-26T15:21:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Allison27](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@Allison27](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Allison27)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2016, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burn-why-doesnt-it-hurt/766934/1 "2016-09-26T15:21:55Z")
2 days ago, i backed up into my woodstove and burnt my back. The burn is almost a foot long. Weird thing is, it doesnt hurt at all. Does anyone know why? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2016, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burn-why-doesnt-it-hurt/766934/2 "2016-09-26T15:25:35Z")
Either you didn’t burn it that badly or you have third degree burns. See a doctor **NOW.** ETA: Third degree burns destroy the nerves so they tend to be painless or nearly so. Though usually there are painful areas on the edge of the burn. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2016, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burn-why-doesnt-it-hurt/766934/3 "2016-09-26T15:25:57Z")
Since it is impossible to know why without a medical examination, let’s move this to IMHO. I have also edited the title to indicate the subject. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2016, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burn-why-doesnt-it-hurt/766934/4 "2016-09-26T16:23:46Z")
If he has third degree burns and is not in pain, does it really matter to see a doctor? Not like the doctor can do anything about it. Shouldn’t he just count his good fortunes? ---
**Author:** ![Canadjun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/76d3ee/32.png) [@Canadjun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Canadjun)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2016, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burn-why-doesnt-it-hurt/766934/5 "2016-09-26T16:42:50Z")
> [@YogSothoth](#): > > If he has third degree burns and is not in pain, does it really matter to see a doctor? Not like the doctor can do anything about it. Shouldn’t he just count his good fortunes? Because 3rd degree burns are by definition deep and can easily get infected. It might not hurt now, but it will later. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2016, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burn-why-doesnt-it-hurt/766934/6 "2016-09-26T16:48:29Z")
It’s September. Was there a fire in the wood-stove? ---
**Author:** ![Allison27](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@Allison27](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Allison27)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2016, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burn-why-doesnt-it-hurt/766934/7 "2016-09-26T17:10:07Z")
THats why I was asking, because I wasnt sure if I should see a doctor if its not hurting. But then again, I was worried because it looks disgusting, but no pain. So I was wondering if I could just care for it at home and skip the hospital. I dont want them poking at it lol ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2016, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burn-why-doesnt-it-hurt/766934/8 "2016-09-26T17:19:13Z")
> [@YogSothoth](#): > > If he has third degree burns and is not in pain, does it really matter to see a doctor? Not like the doctor can do anything about it. Shouldn’t he just count his good fortunes? 3rd degree burn = high likelihood of infection. It’s not just about pain. What do you mean, “Not like the doctor can do anything about it?” There’s plenty of post-burn treatment procedures. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2016, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burn-why-doesnt-it-hurt/766934/9 "2016-09-26T17:36:10Z")
> [@Allison27](#): > > THats why I was asking, because I wasnt sure if I should see a doctor if its not hurting. But then again, I was worried because it looks disgusting, but no pain. So I was wondering if I could just care for it at home and skip the hospital. I dont want them poking at it lol If it is a third degree burn, you _cannot_ treat this yourself, nor will it just grow back on its own; you need a graft. Please see a medical professional _right now_. ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2016, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burn-why-doesnt-it-hurt/766934/10 "2016-09-26T17:49:29Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > 3rd degree burn = high likelihood of infection. It’s not just about pain. What do you mean, “Not like the doctor can do anything about it?” There’s plenty of post-burn treatment procedures. I meant its not like the doctor can restore dead nerves. And can it really get infected if, by my reading, the OP didn’t have any open wounds? If its a burn but he doesn’t feel anything and its not bleeding, isn’t time the only thing that will fix it? ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2016, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burn-why-doesnt-it-hurt/766934/11 "2016-09-26T18:03:25Z")
> [@YogSothoth](#): > > And can it really get infected if, by my reading, the OP didn’t have any open wounds? If its a burn but he doesn’t feel anything and its not bleeding, isn’t time the only thing that will fix it? No. _The entire thing is an open wound_. In a 3rd degree burn, both the dermis and epidermis are destroyed, meaning that the skin is completely gone; it can’t grow back because it isn’t there anymore. Skin will only regenerate around the margins, and you’ll have a horrific looking scar for life. It absolutely needs professional medical treatment. . ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2016, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burn-why-doesnt-it-hurt/766934/12 "2016-09-26T18:03:31Z")
> [@YogSothoth](#): > > I meant its not like the doctor can restore dead nerves. > > And can it really get infected if, by my reading, the OP didn’t have any open wounds? If its a burn but he doesn’t feel anything and its not bleeding, isn’t time the only thing that will fix it? A third degree burn _is_ an open would. All layers of the epidermis are destroyed, the burn is into muscle tissue. ---
**Author:** ![fachverwirrt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@fachverwirrt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fachverwirrt)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2016, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burn-why-doesnt-it-hurt/766934/13 "2016-09-26T18:16:22Z")
> [@YogSothoth](#): > > If he has third degree burns and is not in pain, does it really matter to see a doctor? Not like the doctor can do anything about it. Shouldn’t he just count his good fortunes? > [@YogSothoth](#): > > I meant its not like the doctor can restore dead nerves. > > And can it really get infected if, by my reading, the OP didn’t have any open wounds? If its a burn but he doesn’t feel anything and its not bleeding, isn’t time the only thing that will fix it? Here’s a radical idea: if you have no idea what you’re talking about, maybe avoid dispensing medical advice on the internet? ---
**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2016, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burn-why-doesnt-it-hurt/766934/14 "2016-09-26T18:17:30Z")
Show of hands. Who wants to see pictures? _raises hand_ ---
**Author:** ![Dendarii\_Dame](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bbce88/32.png) [@Dendarii\_Dame](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dendarii_Dame)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2016, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burn-why-doesnt-it-hurt/766934/15 "2016-09-26T18:22:11Z")
> [@Allison27](#): > > THats why I was asking, because I wasnt sure if I should see a doctor if its not hurting. But then again, I was worried because it looks disgusting, but no pain. So I was wondering if I could just care for it at home and skip the hospital. I dont want them poking at it lol I am not a doctor, but based on what I’ve read about 3rd degree burns, one symptom is that it looks awful, which you say yours does. See a doctor. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2016, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burn-why-doesnt-it-hurt/766934/16 "2016-09-26T18:30:57Z")
How much did the burning process itself hurt? Because while a 3rd-degree burn may not hurt, _the process of getting to that 3rd degree stage is excruciatingly painful,_ probably something you’ll never forget as long as you live. The description you give of your burn makes it sound like it could be first-degree, mild, or 3rd degree charred. What does “disgusting” mean? Is it blackened? Merely red and oozing? ---
**Author:** ![Canadjun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/76d3ee/32.png) [@Canadjun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Canadjun)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2016, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burn-why-doesnt-it-hurt/766934/17 "2016-09-26T18:33:25Z")
> [@Dendarii\_Dame](#): > > I am not a doctor, but based on what I’ve read about 3rd degree burns, one symptom is that it looks awful, which you say yours does. See a doctor. and another symptom is that it **doesn’t** hurt **initially** , because you have fried all the relevant nociceptors (pain nerves). ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2016, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burn-why-doesnt-it-hurt/766934/18 "2016-09-26T18:36:56Z")
Do you have leprosy? Lepers often cannot feel pain. That’s one reason they look so mutilated, they often simply cannot tell when they’re being injured and take steps to pull away. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2016, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burn-why-doesnt-it-hurt/766934/19 "2016-09-26T18:47:58Z")
> [@Allison27](#): > > 2 days ago, i backed up into my woodstove and burnt my back. The burn is almost a foot long. Weird thing is, it doesnt hurt at all. Does anyone know why? You joined a message board for medical advice instead of going to the doctor or hospital? You say this happened two days ago. You’ve most likely got an infection started. Get off the internet and get yourself to the hospital NOW. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2016, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burn-why-doesnt-it-hurt/766934/20 "2016-09-26T19:08:05Z")
> [@YogSothoth](#): > > I meant its not like the doctor can restore dead nerves. > > And can it really get infected if, by my reading, the OP didn’t have any open wounds? If its a burn but he doesn’t feel anything and its not bleeding, isn’t time the only thing that will fix it? So you really think a person shouldn’t go to the doctor for something like [this](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burn#/media/File:8-day-old-3rd-degree-burn.jpg)? :dubious: [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burn-why-doesnt-it-hurt/766934.md?page=2)