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Burn wound management
My leg was burned by my bike’s silencer pipe and the skin on the upper part came off. The wound is a little below my knee. Currently, I am taking antibiotic tablets twice a day and applying Silverex gel. I am also covering the wound with Medifine paraffin gauze.
When I stay at home, I sometimes think of leaving the wound open with the medicine applied so it can dry and heal faster. But when I leave it open, the area becomes very tight and hard, and I can barely place my foot on the ground.
I have heard that if I don’t put my foot on the ground or practice walking a little, the area may become stiff and painful even after healing. However, when the wound is left open, it dries so much that when I try to step, it feels like the skin may tear and bleed.
If I keep it covered with paraffin gauze all the time, after about 2–3 hours the wound becomes very moist and messy because of the medicine and gauze. But when it stays moist, I can walk more easily.
So I want to know what to do.
Answers (21)
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From the photo and your description, this appears to be a superficial to partial-thickness burn wound caused by the bike silencer. The red raw surface you see is granulation tissue, which means the wound is in the healing phase. The black area at the edge looks like a small eschar (dead skin) that will gradually separate as healing progresses.
For this type of burn wound, it is better to keep the wound covered rather than leaving it open. Modern wound care promotes moist wound healing, which helps the tissue regenerate faster and reduces pain and scarring. When the wound is left open, it dries out and becomes tight, which is why you feel severe pulling and difficulty placing your foot on the ground.
Next Steps
You can continue the current treatment with silver sulfadiazine (Silverex) and paraffin gauze dressing. After cleaning the wound gently with normal saline or clean water, apply a thin layer of the ointment and cover it with paraffin gauze and a light sterile dressing. Changing the dressing once daily (or twice daily if it becomes very soaked) is usually sufficient. Some moisture under the dressing is normal and actually beneficial for healing, so it should not be a concern unless there is foul smell, pus, or increasing redness.
It is also important to gently move and use the leg so that stiffness around the knee does not develop. You can carefully put weight on the leg and walk slowly as tolerated, but avoid excessive stretching or friction over the wound area. Keeping the dressing on while walking will help prevent the skin from cracking and bleeding.
Health Tips
You should watch for warning signs such as increasing pain, swelling, pus discharge, foul smell, fever, or redness spreading around the wound, as these could indicate infection and would require medical review.
Good luck! And do contact in case of any doubt!.
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Kindly consult for further information and treatment
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Wound is healthy now and healing well. For further evaluation and management kindly consult me on practo
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You can cover it just with a cotton mesh or soft netted cloth, otherwise you can moisten the wound with some antiseptic solution, when you leave it open and it feels very dry.
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Start chymoral after tt
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If you want to discuss your problem in more detail, feel free to message me on WhatsApp at nine one one nine two five five six nine nine for a detailed free discussion
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Don’t worry it may take a week more to form a scab
U make it covered with paraffin gauze so that it can prevent secondary infections
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Hii..Your wound looks healthy there is no pus means no active infection..only dead tissue is intact so better clean up and if there is no comorbidity .. continue whatever you r alredy on
Next Steps
Visit nearest clinic and get wound cleaned
Inj TT stat dose if not taken
Health Tips
RBS should be checked to rule out diabetes
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Get it cleaned and regularly seen by doctor.
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Hello.
Based on your description, this looks like a superficial to partial thickness burn, which can feel tight and painful when the wound dries. Burns usually heal better when they are kept slightly moist and protected, rather than left completely open.
You may continue applying the prescribed gel and covering it with paraffin gauze, changing the dressing regularly. Gentle walking is fine, but avoid excessive pressure if painful.
Since proper burn care depends on wound depth and healing progress, a detailed assessment is recommended.
You may consider an online consultation for proper evaluation and personalized treatment guidance.
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It's chared black part. Apply silverex n paraffin gause
T bact oint in red part after cleaning it with betadine solution
Oral
Augmentine duo625 three times a day after food for 7to 10days.
Zerodol sp three times a day after food for five days.
Montek lc one at night for five days or more.
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Need some more details kindly consult
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This is a second-degree thermal burn (from hot silencer pipe) on the upper calf/lower thigh area, with partial skin loss and now in the healing phase (granulation tissue visible, no active infection). The current treatment (oral antibiotics, Silverex gel + paraffin gauze dressing) is appropriate, but the dilemma you describe is very common in burn wounds:
• Keeping it covered/moist (paraffin gauze + Silverex) → promotes faster healing, prevents cracking/bleeding, reduces pain on movement, but can become macerated/messy after a few hours.
• Leaving it open/dry → allows crust/scab formation, but causes tightness, stiffness, pain on weight-bearing, and risk of cracking/bleeding when you try to walk.
The tightness and difficulty placing foot on ground when left open is due to contracture/scarring starting in the healing tissue — this is normal in burns but can become permanent stiffness if not managed properly during the 2–6 week healing window. Keeping it moist and allowing gentle movement is better for preventing long-term stiffness and contracture.
Next Steps
1. Continue covering the wound most of the time — do not leave it open for long periods. Moist healing is the current standard of care for partial-thickness burns to speed recovery and reduce scarring/stiffness.
2. See your treating doctor (burns/plastic/general surgeon) within 2–4 days for wound reassessment — they may:
• Change dressing type (e.g., to hydrocolloid, foam, or silver-impregnated non-adherent dressing) to reduce messiness while keeping moist environment.
• Prescribe short-course oral painkiller/anti-inflammatory if tightness is severe.
• Start gentle physiotherapy/stretching if contracture risk is high.
3. No need to stop antibiotics yet unless doctor advises — but if no pus, fever, or increasing redness, they may stop early to avoid resistance.
Health Tips
• Dressing routine (best balance for now):
• Clean gently with normal saline or betadine dilute solution twice daily.
• Apply thin layer of Silverex gel (or Silver sulfadiazine if advised).
• Cover with paraffin gauze or non-adherent dressing (like Bactigras or Adaptic) + dry gauze + crepe bandage.
• Change dressing every 6–12 hours or sooner if soaked/messy — this prevents excessive moisture while maintaining healing environment.
• Do not leave open >1–2 hours at a time — tightness will worsen and skin may crack.
• Movement & stiffness prevention:
• Do gentle ankle pumps and knee bends (10–15 reps, 3–4 times/day) while sitting/lying — keeps joint mobile without stressing wound.
• When walking, use crutches or partial weight-bearing (touch toe only) for first 7–10 days to avoid pulling on healing tissue.
• After 10–14 days (when wound is drier), start full weight-bearing gradually with doctor’s permission.
• Pain & tightness relief:
• Paracetamol 650 mg every 6 hours as needed (safe).
• Elevate leg when sitting/resting (above heart level).
• Warm saline soaks (not hot) 10 min twice daily if no open raw area.
• Red flags (go to hospital same day):
• Increasing redness/swelling spreading up leg
• Pus discharge, foul smell, fever >100.4°F
• Severe pain not relieved by medicine
• Wound edges turning black or skin feeling cold/numb
This burn should heal completely in 4–8 weeks with proper moist dressing + gradual movement — tightness/stiffness is normal now but preventable with correct care. Leaving it open too long risks more scarring and contracture — moist covered healing is better.
For a detailed, personalized burn wound care plan (exact dressing change schedule, best non-messy dressing brands in India, safe exercises to prevent stiffness, pain management tips, when to do follow-up, and which surgeon in your city is best for burn follow-up), please book an online consultation with me — I’ll review the wound photo, your current treatment, and symptoms to give you clear, step-by-step guidance so the burn heals smoothly without stiffness or complications.
Looking forward to helping your leg recover fully and comfortably — book now and let’s get you walking normally again soon
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It is better to keep the burn wound covered with paraffin gauze and medicine; leaving it open can make it dry, tight and painful.
Keep the dressing clean and change it regularly, and avoid too much pressure on the leg.
Please consult me for proper examination and guidance on healing and dressing care.
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Better if you covered the wound.treatment and medicine is good .continue the treatment and also consult with your prescribed doctor once more about it.
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Dr. Vetsa Sri Krishna Chaitanya
General Physician
7 yrs exp
Rajahmundry
Need a few more details please consult for further evaluation and treatment
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Burn injury is never to be kept closed
Next Steps
To apply Silverex ointment and keep it open. Continue the Antibiotics
Health Tips
Hopefully you have held the wound in running water just after getting the burn injury.
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Dr. Anuj Mothsra
General Physician
6 yrs exp
Jhunjhunu
Can help you, kindly consult and provide detailed history for proper diagnosis and further management
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Dr. Sajid Ali
General Practitioner
4 yrs exp
Kanpur
Get proper dressing
Have Zifi 200 mg twice a day
Get TT stat
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Dr. Chaithra H
General Physician
5 yrs exp
Bangalore
Pls have physical examination with nearby plastic surgeon
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Dr. Saarika
General Physician
4 yrs exp
Chennai
This looks like a partial-thickness burn. Based on what you described, your current treatment (antibiotics, Silverex Gel, and paraffin gauze dressing) is a common approach.
For burn wounds, it is usually better to keep them covered rather than leaving them open.
Why keeping it covered helps:
🔹 Burns heal faster in a moist environment
🔹 Dressing prevents infection
🔹 It reduces pain and tightness
🔹 It prevents the wound from cracking and bleeding
So keeping it covered with paraffin gauze is generally the better option.
But it becomes a problem if you notice:
* Bad smell
* Yellow/green pus
*Increasing redness around the wound
*Fever or severe swelling
If none of these are present, the moisture you see is part of the healing process.
Regarding movement you may walk short distances slowly, rest with the leg slightly elevated.
Avoid long standing or pressure on the wound.
Next Steps
please get medical help if you notice:
Increasing pain, Spreading redness, Pus or foul smell, Black/dark tissue, Difficulty walking.
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Disclaimer : The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.