This is similar to Ninjachicks question but I don’t want to hijack her thread, but how do you treat second degree burns?
Mine are on my face, I have put polysporin on it, and the area was blistering, but I’m finding that skin is coming off, and some parts are cracking. Today for most of the day I’ve had nothing on it as my sister thinks I should let the burns/skin breathe, but its scabbing/cracking and it hurts.
So what am I supposed to do, put nothing on it and let it scab, or keep polysporin on it and let the scabby skin come off. I’m not sure.
If you are losing skin, I would suggest a visit to a doctor.
The general rule is that one applies nothing to a “serious” burn (thus your sister’s suggestion). However, the corollary to that is that any “serious” burn should be treated by a professional.
A “mild” second degree burn, in which the blisters only form after several hours and do not fill with fluid, will still slough off the skin after a few days. It can be treated with Polysporin, Neosporin, or comparable products.
If your blisters were fluid filled or you are losing skin immediately, then I would (in my totally unprofessional opinion) deem them “serious” and urge you to follow your sister’s advice and not apply ointment–but urge you to see a pro.
(Of course, no anonymous internet suggestions on treatment should be considered in the same manner as a professional exam.)