Is it bad to cut the dead, blisterd skin off a 2nd degree burn..after it healed for a few days first?

I recently recieved some 2nd degree burns. (heat burns, not chemical or electrical) They blistered up really badly. After about a week of healing I decided to cut the dead skin off half of them so I could put some neosporin on the actually wound...to help the healing process. I didn't do them all just in case it was a bad idea. After doing so, I realized how deep it was and how tender the new skin is. Now I'm unsure if it's a good thing or a bad thing. On one aspect, the dead skin is just getting in the way anyway and will cause even more of a scar(I think)...on the other hand I have no clue what will happen by removing it. I hear that when soldiers in Iraq come in with really bad burns they cut the blisters off.....but I'm not sure if it's true...nor if it's a good idea in my case. What should I do? Should I leave it or go ahead and cut the rest off too? If I should leave it do you think I should go see a professional? (I don't like going in unless it's serious)

Is it bad to cut the dead, blisterd skin off a 2nd degree burn..after it healed for a few days first?
If it were me, I would cut it off too. Just make sure you keep putting neosporin on it and don't get it dirty.
Reply:dont pick em or youll end up with a nasty looking scar!
Reply:Scabs PROTECT! Leave well alone. You open up the unhealed skin, you open up the superhighway to bacteria.
Reply:blisters form to protect the skin underneath. leave them alone! keeop putting neosporin on the ones you've cut off so that you can prevent infection.
Reply:Just leave it alone! it will heal by itself!
Reply:cut it off, cut it all off. then your hair and who knows where you'll stop
Reply:if you want some advice on enthytihng fashion,love,illneses email agony_auntie101@hotmail.co.uk
Reply:How awful. Let your body heal itself for chrissake. The dead skin is protecting the wound underneath.
Reply:no its not good. Common sense should have told you that!
Reply:use some aloe vera jelly/gel and vitamin E oils.
Reply:When I was a scout, they always said to leave the blisters alone. The dead skin will wear away on its own. My personal rule of thumb is, if it hurts, it's probably a bad idea.
Reply:Leave the skin where it is. The skin underneath a burn is very prone to infection and it is weak so it needs time to heal and needs to be protected from germs and infection. The best way to protect it is to leave the dead outer layer of skin on the outside. Keep the skin clean and dry and and try to protect it the best you can from getting knocked or damaging that top layer of skin. Your body is very good at looking after itself and when the skin underneath is ready then the dead skin on top will naturally come off. Admittedly this won't be pleasant, but best to leave your body to do what it knows best.





As for seeing a professional, the rule of thumb in the health service here in the UK is that if the burn is larger than the palm of your hand you should seek medical advice, if not you should be able to home medicate. If in doubt pop along and speak to your pharmacist.
Reply:YES its bad!!!! The tender young skin underneath is not ready to be "exposed". The burn patients you hear about are a totally different caes due to hygiene concerns, internal medicine, etc. You need to protect that living (and quite sensitive!) tissue from sun, "dirt" and germs, and abrasion. If you have areas you cut the skin away, keep them treated with Neosporin or the like and for Heaven's sake cover them up. Some people don't know this but the skin we can see is already dead and acts as a shield for the skin underneath. Good luck and heal quickly!
Reply:The purpose of the skin growing back is to protect from infection. Don't pick at it!!!!