Hydro Gels for Burns and Blisters
We are often asked about Burn Gels and Blister Plasters during our first aid courses. What do they do, should we put them in our first aid kit? In general, we’d advise not to include any ‘lotions or potions’. In this post, we explain a bit more about them to allow you to make your own decisions. We advise people to research and consider any additional first aid kit content especially when you have a duty of care to provide first aid treatment to someone else. Doing a risk assessment might justify the need for having burn gels in your first aid kits.
What is a Burn Gel?
A Burn Gel, or more correctly, a Hydrogel, is a first aid product for the treatment of minor burns, scalds and certain types of abrasions and friction burn injuries. Friction burn injuries are injuries caused by sudden or continuous abrasions such as foot or hand blisters and rope burns (where the skin is not broken).
‘Hydrogel’ is the broad category term given to capture many specific name brand products that fall within the hydrogel, amorphous (free flowing), “gels” category.
Depending on the manufacturer you may find them called different names, but are usually known as ‘Burn Gels’. They are commonly available as treatments for minor burns only. Burn dressings have fluid and a dressing inside the packet enabling quick relief from pain and infection.
When to use Burn Gels:
When treating burns, always follow the normal first aid procedure for burns (i.e. immediately cool the area, ideally with tepid running water for 20 minutes) before using a hydrogel.
In remote settings where you have no access to running water or copious amounts of clean water, hydrogels are very useful.
Hydrogels should only be used for minor burns – where the skin is not broken and does not cover more than 5% of the surface area of your body. (1% is the palm of your hand).
If in doubt, always seek medical advice.
How do hydrogels work?
By providing moisture to the wound, hydrogel dressings create a moist healing environment. They prevent bacterial infection, as well as prevent some swelling. They are also cooling so help with some pain relief.
Hydrated polymer (hydrogel) dressings contain 90% water in a gel base which helps regulate fluid exchange from the wound surface. Hydrogel dressings are usually clear or translucent and vary in viscosity or thickness. They are available in three forms:
Amorphous hydrogel — a free-flowing gel, packaged in tubes, foil packets, and spray bottles
Impregnated hydrogel — an amorphous hydrogel saturated onto a gauze pad, non-woven sponge ropes and/or strips
Sheet hydrogel — a gel supported by a thin fibre mesh. The dressing can overlap intact skin and generally won’t harm it. It’s available with and without adhesive borders and can be cut to fit the wound.
The most common type of Hydrogel dressings absorb wound exudate (oozing fluids) and bacteria; they are usually waterproof, breathable and skin-friendly; their removal should not irritate the wound.
For minor burns where you are not going to seek medical attention. You may choose to use a hydrogel barrier in one of the forms of burn gel or burn plaster above to offer pain relief, and to reduce the risk of infection. Hydrogel plasters rather than dressings, are particularly suitable for the treatment of smaller superficial burns and scalds.
Blisters and Hydrocolloidal Plasters
Hydrocolloidal plasters, (rather than Hydrogel plasters), are used for the treatment of abrasions or friction burns. They are also used for the prevention and treatment of blisters and corns. Many different types and brands are available. They protect the wound and keep it clean. They also cushion the wound, and allow it to heal faster by absorbing and wicking away its moisture.
A hydrocolloidal plaster looks much like a normal plaster, although it feels thicker and much less flexible. Once applied to the skin to cover the blister, they start to work quite differently. It is best to put a blister plaster on as soon as you feel the skin rubbing – long before a blister appears. It will help protect and prevent a more serious blistering wound.
How do Blister Plasters Work?
Blister plasters are made of hydrocolloids that absorb moisture. They have a rubbery texture and are sometimes called ‘false skin’ or ‘second skin’. It also contains a gel-forming material such as sodium carboxymethylcellulose (a water-soluble polymer), mixed with gelatine. This all helps your blister heal. It’s not an instant fix but does prevent worsening by protecting the rubbed area from further friction burning.
The top layer of elastomer is there to hold the plaster together, allowing your skin to move around underneath. Lastly, there is some adhesive which sticks to your skin and ensures that the plaster stays there for at least a few days.
Hydrocolloidal plasters help blisters to heal effectively and hygienically, even if you’re out and about. They allow your skin to slowly regrow underneath the plaster. Therefore, do not remove them before your skin has healed. The treatment is more effective when they are left in place until they detach themselves. Removing them early will only remove loose skin and may leave an open wound again. Then you’re back to step one!
Blister plasters are a great piece of kit for outdoor activities – but you need to read the instructions to use them properly to benefit!
Should I pop a blister?
No. Unless you’re in a sterile environment and can clean and dress the resultant wound immediately then prevent any further rubbing to the area. Popping a blister will result in oozing sebum and other ‘repair kits’ sent by your body to the wound area. Inside a dirty sock or in a hand that is exposed to dirty environments will only invite more infection and result in a more serious wound requiring treatment.
When to seek further medical help with a burn:
Always monitor burns for infection after treatment, especially in remote or dirty environments.
Seek further help or advice in any of the following situations:
Any burns to the face, hands, feet, genitals or airway
Any burn that is completely around a limb
If there are signs of infection – yellowing mucus or ooze from the burn
If the burn is minor but covers more than 5% of the surface area of your body (the palm of your hand is 1%)
Any burn in someone who is immuno-compromised – e.g. diabetic, receiving treatments for cancer etc.
Any burn in a child or elderly person
Pharmacists can also help with advice and products to treat a minor burn. Our recommendation can be found HERE.
