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[Shotgun Kiss]

My girlfriend accidentally spilled boiling water on her chest, and was taken to Accident & Emergency. Apparently there are second and third degree burns.

She's really upset, especially about any permanent scars. Apparently third degree burns always scar, and second degree burns sometimes do.

Does anybody here know if there's any difference between second and third degree burns in regards to the *visibility* of the scar that remains, or is it just the chances of one remaining that is a factor?

I ask because I read this article (warning; there are pictures of burns there, though they're not too bad) about a girl who had a bad second degree burn, and looking at the picture of it 4 months later, it's barely noticeable. If a third degree burn is more likely to leave a scar, but the scar is no more severe/visible than second degree, then that might not be too bad.

Beyond that, it's killing me to see her so upset. She's told me that she doesn't want to see me as much for a while, as she said more self-conscious around me than her friends (she apologised for being blunt, but said she'd rather be honest than evasive, which I'm grateful for). I've assured her that this won't change my view of her, but I can still understand her feeling that way, and I'm willing to give her time. However it's not the time apart that makes me feel bad; it's knowing that she's upset, and fearful for her self-image. :-(

Does anybody have any tips on minimising the visibility of permanent scarring after a second or third degree burn?


EDIT: Since people are wondering how she burned herself, she has sinus problems, and to alleviate it, inhales steam from something that has boiling water in it, specifically for that purpose. I don't know what it's called. She accidentally spilled the water.

 

[poodpick]

Vitamin E can help, but it's very easy to develop keloid scars which are impossible to get rid of.

 

[CountAntonius]

Terrible situation. Hope things turn out well for her.

 

[Valkyr Junkie]

Don't 3rd degree burns require skin grafts? Someone on Reddit who received 3rd degree burns across his entire body as a toddler posted in an AMA recently. Awful stuff.

 

[mlewis]

If she went to A&E I assume she's in the uk?

If so she should definitely be referred on to a specialist plastics/burns outpatient clinic and be seen initially pretty promptly- that's what I did as a junior doctor working in A&E a few years ago. They can advise on creams/dressings etc to minimise the impact.

If this hasn't happened she should see her GP who should be able to sort, hopefully.

 

[Derwind]

I had a third degree burn on my foot from when a hot iron fell and pressed on my foot as a toddler.

I'm 24 now, its not visible at all. Vaseline helps and moisturizing lotions.

It'll take time to heal but it will happen if you're attentive.

 

[OldKentuckyShark]

'Accidentally', huh? Right.
Anyway, if she can afford it, skin grafts/plastic surgery should take care of any scarring. If she can't afford that or something, then I'd say the best thing to do is to make sure she understands that you see and accept her scars, and that it doesn't bother you in the slightest. That you think she's still as pretty as before.

 

[xxracerxx]

How did she spill boiling water on her chest? Was she filming an infomercial "how things suck" video or something?

 

[Shotgun Kiss]

If she went to A&E I assume she's in the uk?

If so she should definitely be referred on to a specialist plastics/burns outpatient clinic and be seen initially pretty promptly- that's what I did as a junior doctor working in A&E a few years ago. They can advise on creams/dressings etc to minimise the impact.

If this hasn't happened she should see her GP who should be able to sort, hopefully.

Yes, UK.

This actually happened a few days ago, and I'm taking her to her GP tomorrow to schedule an appointment for when she can have her dressing changed. She didn't say anything about going to a burns specialist. I'll ask her tomorrow.

 

[OJdaKiller]

You must just be a really hot guy.

 

[P44]

Yeah I did something similar as a kid, still got the scars. It's like a little bit of warping on my shoulder, nothing too...bad I guess.

 

[Ferrio]

My girlfriend accidentally spilled boiling water on her chest, and was taken to A&E. Apparently there are second and third degree burns.

She's really upset, especially about any permanent scars. Apparently third degree burns always scar, and second degree burns sometimes do.

Does anybody here know if there's any difference between second and third degree burns in regards to the *visibility* of the scar that remains, or is it just the chances of one remaining that is a factor?

I ask because I read this article (warning; there are pictures of burns there, though they're not too bad) about a girl who had a bad second degree burn, and looking at the picture of it 4 months later, it's barely noticeable. If a third degree burn is more likely to leave a scar, but the scar is no more severe/visible than second degree, then that might not be too bad.

Beyond that, it's killing me to see her so upset. She's told me that she doesn't want to see me as much for a while, as she said more self-conscious around me than her friends (she apologised for being blunt, but said she'd rather be honest than evasive, which I'm grateful for). I've assured her that this won't change my view of her, but I can still understand her feeling that way, and I'm willing to give her time. However it's not the time apart that makes me feel bad; it's knowing that she's upset, and fearful for her self-image. :-(

Does anybody have any tips on minimising the visibility of permanent scarring after a second or third degree burn?

Does she like tattoos?

http://www.oddee.com/item_98541.aspx *Slight nudity inside from a masectomy.*

 

[cheststrongwell]

Holding a pot of boiling water can lead to an accident.

 

[DanteFox]

'Accidentally', huh? Right.

You think she burned herself?

 

[Shotgun Kiss]

How did she spill boiling water on her chest? Was she filming an infomercial "how things suck" video or something?

She has sinus problems, and to alleviate it, inhales steam from something that has boiling water in it. I haven't seen it personally.

 

[Anticitizen One]

3rd degree burns are EXTREMELY dangerous. Luckily though it sounds like its only a small portion of her body. If it was more it could become life threatening.

 

[twobear]

3rd degree burns are EXTREMELY dangerous. She should get proper medical attention asap.

My girlfriend accidentally spilled boiling water on her chest, and was taken to A&E.

.

 

[APZonerunner]

How did she spill boiling water on her chest? Was she filming an infomercial "how things suck" video or something?

There's tons of things that could cause this, especially in the kitchen, like a kettle or a boiling pan. =/

Hope things work out alright for her, OP.

 

[Valnen]

She has sinus problems, and to alleviate it, inhales steam from something that has boiling water in it. I haven't seen it personally.

Sounds like it would be safer to just take a hot shower.

 

[lexi]

I wasn't sure you could get 3rd degree burns from boiling water.

 

[wildfire]

Wow 2nd and 3rd degree burns are very serious. I hope they are on a location she can live with otherwise she'll need cosmetic surgery. My condolences.

 

[Razorskin]

edit:nvm edited post

 

[Darklord]

Beyond that, it's killing me to see her so upset. She's told me that she doesn't want to see me as much for a while, as she said more self-conscious around me than her friends (she apologised for being blunt, but said she'd rather be honest than evasive, which I'm grateful for). I've assured her that this won't change my view of her, but I can still understand her feeling that way, and I'm willing to give her time. However it's not the time apart that makes me feel bad; it's knowing that she's upset, and fearful for her self-image. :-(

Just going to throw it out there. Show up anyway. Give her a little time but I think if you take the lead and let her know you're there and tell her she's beautiful it could go a long way without waiting for her to say it.

 

[Borgnine]

There's tons of things that could cause this, especially in the kitchen, like a kettle or a boiling pan. =/

Oh god remember that awful Canadian safety video thing? Do not ever click:

http://youtu.be/noFCekWiUGE

 

[luoapp]

In the days of plastic surgery, nothing is really "permanent". Don't worry too much.

 

[Zoe]

I wasn't sure you could get 3rd degree burns from boiling water.

I think it can be worse when you spill it onto absorbent clothing.

 

[ProfessorLobo]

I wasn't sure you could get 3rd degree burns from boiling water.

Yeah I wasn't sure either, that must have hurt like a bitch. I have a friend who got a small 3rd degree burn from boiling TAR.

 

[eunao]

I got a frying oil burn when I was 7 on my wrist. The scar is still there... I don't remember if my doctor recommended any creams for the burn, the only thing I remember is removing dead skin, applying toothpaste and hurting like hell. It's a crappy situation, wish her the best.

 

[Shotgun Kiss]

Does she like tattoos?

http://www.oddee.com/item_98541.aspx *Slight nudity inside from a masectomy.*

She doesn't have any, and doesn't strike me as the type of girl who would otherwise get one (can't say I'm a fan either), but I have to say some of those are good, and it's certainly an option. Thanks.

 

[walnutthewise]

I've actually been in the exact same situation as your girlfriend. I was working fast food in high school (Wendy's to be specific), and accidently dropped a big pot of boiling water on my chest. I was wearing the protective gear, but sadly, the water got behind it.

I had pretty narly 2nd and 3rd degree burns. It will take a couple of months for it to heal to where it does not hurt. The best advice I can give is to see if you can get prescribed Silver Nitrate solution...you can rub it directly on the burn and it really helps heal. If you don't have Silver Nitrate, don't rub any kind ointments on the burned areas. Also, Silver Nitrate can sort of harden when under a bandage, so best use it when the burned areas of the chest can breath.

It may be harder for a lady, but have your chest open to free air as much as possible when at home and clean it regularly to avoid infection. I still have some scarring, but not much and my manly chest hairs cover up most of it. I hope your girlfriend gets through it okay!

 

[User 100115]

Don't 3rd degree burns require skin grafts? Someone on Reddit who received 3rd degree burns across his entire body as a toddler posted in an AMA recently. Awful stuff.

I know someone like that. It's horrible what he's had to go through, constant surgeries as he grew

 

[way more]

I didn't think boiling water could cause third degree burns. Or even second degree. I guess I say this from years as working as a cook and having plenty of it splash over the sides on me.

I suppose it all depends on the amount and what you are wearing. Chef coats are made to be loose so hot water and oil can me deflected form the skin.

 

[TheBryanJZX90]

She has sinus problems, and to alleviate it, inhales steam from something that has boiling water in it. I haven't seen it personally.

Oh man when I was a kid my grandma used to try to make me do this every time I had a cold or even a stuffy nose, only the "thing" was just a big pot of boiling water. Considering how much I hated having my face shoved near boiling water and how much I thrashed around to try to escape, I guess I'm lucky I never got burned.

 

[SneakyStephan]

I have a third degree burn on the top of my left hand , got it when I was 3 by touching the stove (one of those old fashioned wood burning heating stoves

)

25 years later it is still visible, I had a dark brown freckled ish smudge there the size of a euro coin that has slowly (very slowly) faded over the years. But it was clearly visible for at least 15 years.


3rd degree burns leave permanent scars, second degree burns heal.

I read about/saw videos about some spray on laboratory made skin (like actual human skin) that can help regrow it so you don't have visible scars.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NccZymzMaEY
there it is

show your girlfriend this and let her get it done.

She must have spilt a LOT of water on her to get third degree burns. I've spilled boiling water on my hands a few times and it's always just first degree burns that are sore for a few days and then gone.
Or was it pressurised to make the steam? because then it would be much hotter than normal boiling water.

 

[Etrian Oddity]

I didn't think boiling water could cause third degree burns. Or even second degree. I guess I say this from years as working as a cook and having plenty of it splash over the sides on me.

I suppose it all depends on the amount and what you are wearing. Chef coats are made to be loose so hot water and oil can me deflected form the skin.

I could see steam causing third degree burns, but I didn't think water could do it either.

And <3 chef coats. Never understood the folks who preferred tees or other crap in the kitchen.

 

[Slightly Live]

Unless she's rich, she going to have to learn to accept scarring of some kind.

And maybe learn than that, in the end, its not really a big deal.

Glad she wasn't seriously hurt. Could have been much worse.

 

[Kyuur]

My little brother got second and third degree burns last year, and had to go through several surgeries and a ton of skin grafting. About a year later now, it's not as visible but definitely still there.

The self image problems are normal, she'll get through it with time and encouragement.

 

[Shotgun Kiss]

I have a third degree burn on the top of my left hand , got it when I was 3 by touching the stove (one of those old fashioned wood burning heating stoves
)

25 years later it is still visible, I had a dark brown freckled ish smudge there the size of a euro coin that has slowly (very slowly) faded over the years. But it was clearly visible for at least 15 years.


3rd degree burns leave permanent scars, second degree burns heal.

I read about/saw videos about some spray on laboratory made skin (like actual human skin) that can help regrow it so you don't have visible scars.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NccZymzMaEY
there it is

show your girlfriend this and let her get it done.

£5,000 is a lot of money. :-(

But thank you for posting that; the more options she has to consider, the better.

 

[Fou-Lu]

I got a third degree burn on my leg when I was younger. Minimal scarring now, but it is still there.

 

[Deleted member 13876]

'Accidentally', huh? Right.

What?

 

[everyday math]

I got 2nd degree burns from working at Calver's. The oil from the friers splashed over my right hand and lower arm....didn't feel it really at first. Of coarse it hurt, but we were so busy. Just brushed it off and kept working.

Looked at it after work slowed down. Blisters everywhere. Hand and lower arm area started burning like crazy. Must have been the adrenalin wearing off or something that I really felt it then. Damn that hurt.

The scars faded a little after a couple weeks. Made sure to put Neosporin on it everyday. That truly did help get the scars to fad somewhat.

 

[OldKentuckyShark]

You think she burned herself?

I don't think I phrased the joke right. I meant to imply that 'she' might not have been the one doing the burning.

 

[TUSR]

I don't think I phrased the joke right. I meant to imply that 'she' might not have been the one doing the burning.

So you implied OP dumped burning hot water on his GF?

Regardless, Vitamin E did wonders for my scars.

 

[BakedYams]

Applying toothpaste does wonders (hispanic family) but from experience and word of mouth, a 2nd degree burns requires you to visit a hospital due to how serious it can be. I think you might have the degree's mixed up though, she might have a first degree and second degree burn because if it was third, you would practically be seeing the bone under her skin and she would not stop screaming from the pain and be in the hospital right now.

For removing scars, there are special ointments that aren't covered by health insurance that do work most of the time, forget the name but be prepare to bone around $100.

 

[Fonz72]

I don't think I phrased the joke right. I meant to imply that 'she' might not have been the one doing the burning.

It would be best to just delete the post. Not an appropriate situation for a joke anyway.

Vitamin E and be liberal with whatever burn cream the doc gave her.

 

[Shotgun Kiss]

Just going to throw it out there. Show up anyway. Give her a little time but I think if you take the lead and let her know you're there and tell her she's beautiful it could go a long way without waiting for her to say it.

I'm not sure about that; we've only been seeing each other for just under two months, and just had the "boyfriend/girlfriend" talk last week. I don't want to be too overbearing. Hell, the reason I only just saw her today even though this happened a few days ago is because her parents were staying with her, and she's not ready to introduce us yet.

I think she genuinely does need some time. I'm definitely going to give her at least a week (except when I'll be driving her to the doctors).

 

[Shotgun Kiss]

Applying toothpaste does wonders (hispanic family) but from experience and word of mouth, a 2nd degree burns requires you to visit a hospital due to how serious it can be. I think you might have the degree's mixed up though, she might have a first degree and second degree burn because if it was third, you would practically be seeing the bone under her skin and she would not stop screaming from the pain and be in the hospital right now.

For removing scars, there are special ointments that aren't covered by health insurance that do work most of the time, forget the name but be prepare to bone around $100.

Between some people here saying that you can't get third degree burns from boiling water, and some of the pictures I've seen online (I haven't seen my girlfriend's burn, but as you said, if they were as bad as the pictures I've found, she'd be in hospital), it certainly seems there may be some inconsistency in what people refer to as a third degree burn.

My girlfriend was told it was second and third degree burns, but maybe the nurse at A&E was mistaken. I certainly hope so.

 

[Metalmarc]

My experiences with hot water:

When i was two i spilt a fresh cup of hot tea on my chest as i was trying to be helpful, pulled the tea off the counter out the kitchen apparently it was my aunts fault according to my mum no scar, I'm guessing i may have been in a high chair next to the counter top and instead of my aunt stopping me i think she said , ooh thats nice helping your mum with the teas are you

And when i was 3 and a half-ish i was running across the landing 6 in the morning, to watch cartoons in my parents bedroom and they had a kettle on the landing of the house, to make my sisters baby milk/formula, i guess my parents didn't expect me to wake, ran out my room, Bam straight into the kettle, spilling boiling water over my foot, luckily no scar there either, maybe that was a stupid place for my parents to leave a kettle though


Hot food:

But more recently my girlfriend dropped hot lasagne on her leg and it burnt her leg pretty bad and has been told when it heals it will probably scar. I honestly didn't know hot food can do more damage than boiling water to the body?

 

[Kinyou]

Don't 3rd degree burns require skin grafts? Someone on Reddit who received 3rd degree burns across his entire body as a toddler posted in an AMA recently. Awful stuff.

Yeah, I think so too. Third degree burns is some really serious stuff. Basically the entire skin just burned off.

edit: oh, she's not even in hospital? Yeah, then the nurse must have mixed something up

 

[SneakyStephan]

. I honestly didn't know hot food can do more damage than boiling water to the body?

Thought this would be common knowledge, water's boiling point is 100 degrees celcius, it cannot get hotter than that (simply evaporates into steam) unless pressurised. That's why it's not all that dangerous compared to other things.

Things to be afraid of when it comes to burns:
-steam (can be several hundred degrees and give you horrible burns)
-oils (much, much higher boiling point than water , 200+ degrees)

It's why you should keep water FAR away from frying oil at all times, as it falls into the oil it'll superheat and instantly evaporate, which then causes the oil to splash all over the place and give you terrible burns.