About your visit
You have burned your hand. We have rinsed and cleaned your burn and removed loose skin. We have covered the burn with a bandage and an elastic soft wrap on top of the bandage.
You will be called in for a check-up within three to ten days, depending on the extent of the injury. We will discuss what is best in your case, and when you should come back:
☐ Your bandage or parts of it will have to be changed after a few days, usually three days after the accident or if fluid seeps through the bandage. We will tell you where to go for your appointment.
☐ Leave your bandage on for the next ten days, unless it gets wet, or you get symptoms of infection. Get your bandage removed by your general practitioner unless we have said otherwise.
When you get home
Contact your general practitioner if there are signs of infection
Call your general practitioner or dial 1813 to reach the medical helpline outside your general practitioner’s opening hours if you experience the following symptoms:
- you develop a fever
- you experience a throbbing pain
- your fingers feel cold
- your skin becomes warm or swells
- the wound begins to smell.
Take pain-relieving medicine if you are in pain
You should take pain-relieving medicine if you are in pain. Pain-relieving medicine can be bought over the counter. Take only the amount of pain reliever recommended on the package. Contact your general practitioner if you need help managing the pain.
Practical precautions
Prevent swelling
To keep your hand from swelling, keep it level with your heart. Rest your arm on a pillow, for example, when you are sitting down.
Move your fingers
Move your fingers as usual, e.g. when eating, drinking or brushing your teeth. Clench and stretch your hand and fingers several times a day. It may hurt to use your fingers, but these exercises are important to keep your skin elastic and to avoid stiff and swollen finger joints.
Avoid nicotine
We recommend that you abstain from nicotine until the burn has healed. Nicotine is found in cigarettes, nicotine gum and nicotine patches. It impairs the healing of wounds.
Avoid direct sunlight
Avoid direct sunlight on scars as long they are red. Scars can stay red for 1-2 years. During this period, the skin is especially at risk of sunburn and can darken. The dark colour will not disappear. We recommend using a sunscreen with a high SPF or wearing clothes that cover the scars.
Worth knowing
Your personal data
The Capital Region of Denmark uses the personal data you share with us when you make an enquiry. You can read more about how we use your data and your rights on our website: https://www.regionh.dk/english/about-the-capital-region/about-the-website/Pages/Personal-data-policy.aspx.