Would you have called the doctor about this injury?
By The Horse
@TheHorse (205716)
Walnut Creek, California
March 19, 2019 2:14pm CST
The other day (about 10 days ago) I was flipping something in the oven (I think it was a Trader Joe's latke) when the back of my hand came in contact with one of the heating elements! Ouch!
I don't know what "degree" of burn I sustained, but I iced it and then put "triple antibiotic" ointment on it. I have been doing so every day since.
I checked my fingers, and they all still work, so apparently the injury was not deep enough to affect my day-to-day functioning. A couple of days ago it itched, and now I believe I see new skin growing to replace what got BBQed.
Would you have called the Dr. about such an injury? Or just treated it as I did? The kids I work with have found my "owie" fascinating. Maybe they'll learn about the healing process from my experience.
33 people like this
38 responses
@DianneN (246720)
• United States
19 Mar 19
@TheHorse My parents' oven door was on the blink, and my mother used a metal fork to prop it open. I grabbed the fork and it stuck between my thumb and index finger. My father filled a large bowl with ice water and there my hand and fork stayed for hours. Eventually, my father peeled the fork off. I can't bear to think about it anymore.
5 people like this
@akalinus (40440)
• United States
19 Mar 19
No, I wouldn't. It is not going to affect the joints or movement of the fingers. Call if you see red lines running toward your arm, or if there are other problems with it. Itching, while maddening, is a sign of healing. Of course, the decision is entirely yours since you are responsible for your own health.
3 people like this
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
19 Mar 19
I probably would have done the same as you, treated it in on my own, unless I thought it was serious enough to have it checked out just in case.
3 people like this
Time heals all wounds! 
@cherigucchi (14879)
• Philippines
20 Mar 19
This can be treated on your own and no need for emergency
2 people like this
@vandana7 (98826)
• India
20 Mar 19
You are exactly like me in this respect. When sid came to our place, a day before I had burned my hand...but I complained a lot, so much so that dad wanted to do everything. I got dad to fry the flat bread, just for the heck of it. It was fun...I can be evil.
@celticeagle (159008)
• Boise, Idaho
19 Mar 19
That is a hurtful one for sure. I doubt I would seek medical attention.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (159008)
• Boise, Idaho
21 Mar 19
@TheHorse ......The ointment you chose was a good one to help it heal quickly.
Good for you.@TheHorse (205716)
• Walnut Creek, California
16 Apr 19
@marguicha For the most part, I have faith in the body's ability to "heal itself."
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104632)
• United States
19 Mar 19
I've sustained burns like that and just used antibiotic ointment and aloe. Heck, I've even sustained injuries that could have been stitched up but I let them heal on their own and just kept them clean.
2 people like this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104632)
• United States
19 Mar 19
@TheHorse Yes but they have faded considerably. It's been a few years, and at the time I used castor oil to keep it from getting infected and to help it heal faster.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (95136)
• Marion, Ohio
19 Mar 19
I have had worse and not called the doctor.
2 people like this
@Marilynda1225 (79708)
• United States
19 Mar 19
I would probably do the exact same thing you did and would only consult a doctor if it looked like it was getting infected. Itching is a sign of healing isnt it?
2 people like this
@scarlet_woman (23465)
• United States
21 Mar 19
me?no.i've got so many of those burns.the one took forever to heal.
really deep.but if it makes you feel better,i cut the hell out of my own hand this week..building something for the mother in law..
1 person likes this
@scarlet_woman (23465)
• United States
22 Mar 19
@TheHorse slowly,but yea.it's on my thumb so it's kind of annoying.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (205716)
• Walnut Creek, California
23 Mar 19
@scarlet_woman Yeah, that would be annoying.
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@LadyDuck (458006)
• Switzerland
21 Mar 19
@TheHorse I burnt myself even too many times. After I changed my oven two years ago it never happened again. The old oven was dangerous and I had the bad habit not to wear the oven mitts. Three years ago I had to go to the ER, I seriously burnt the palm of my hand, at least it was my left hand. It took a full month to heal.
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38652)
• Midland, Michigan
20 Mar 19
I would do the same as you did too, although, I'm not sure that I'd have remembered or thought to put the ointment onto it every day, but maybe at bedtime and things like that. I cut my finger once when washing dishes. I had a canning jar and had my hand inside it. I accidentally hit it against the side of the sink when pulling my hand out which got one of my fingers with the broken glass.
That was back in the seventies when I was in my twenties and I drove to the pharmacy where I worked. The pharmacist told me I should have gone to ER for stitches but I'd waited too long by then. Now, I could have put a butterfly bandage over it to help it heal but they weren't made back then.
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38652)
• Midland, Michigan
21 Mar 19
@TheHorse On my arm? Barely. I can see where it was and the place on my finger from when I was younger was more pronounced for longer. It's smoother now. and looks mainly like a white line under my skin. The area where the knife got me is longer and still skin toned. I'd take a picture, but I'm not sure whether either would be 'caught' by the camera.
Actually, I did capture both, but while one is more obvious, the other looks like a trick of lighting. It's actually more noticeable on my finger, but it's hard to take a picture while keeping my finger on one hand from moving.
I will include that in a moment from my phone.
The top one looks long but it's about an inch. The one on my finger maybe half an inch long at most.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (205716)
• Walnut Creek, California
23 Mar 19
@MarshaMusselman I wouldn't notice either unless they were pointed out to me.
1 person likes this
I am really sorry you burned yourself like that though, those things are painful. Hope it heals quickly but you may have a scar from that one
