second or third degree burn?? What to do

Six days ago I was burned by a pot of fresh hot coffee. The coffee spilled on top of my hand. The burn is approximately 3x2 inches. The liquid appeared to melt away my skin. The area is very swollen, extending to my fingers which are so swollen my rings will not fit and the knuckles are puffy. Bruising is now showing all around the burn, I cannot lower my hand below my waist without pain and pretty intense pressure, I have been putting neosporin, a sterile gauze and a wrap on my hand. I change the dressing 2-3 times per day and each time I change it the gauze is yellow and the last two times it started bleeding when I took the gauze off. I cannot lift heavy items without pain and two of my fingers are now painful when I move them. When I take the gauze off the wound is white then turns bright red and when the air starts to dry it out and it becomes more painful. I hope I have given you enough information to tell me whether this is a second or third degree burn and if you recommend I do anything different than I have been. Oh, I have also been taking amoxicillin. for the last two days. I was worried about infection and hoped this would help. I appreciate a response as soon as possible.


This discussion is related to Burns from Cooking.

[momtofourboys]

I would call your doctor. you might have damaged more then just the top layer of your skin. it might be just starting to get infected and amox. will not cover it. besides you need a full course of the antibiotics not leftovers from another time you were ill.
I hope your hand gets better soon. I hope it isn't tissue or nerve damage/.
michelle