Treatment of Burns

Dear Ask The Doctor: I received a burn on the area where you hand and arm meet (right at the crease) and have been putting on Neopsorm and have had a bandage on it for four days. I have not taken the bandage off, but have changed it and put new cream on it each day. How long do I need to keep the bandage on? Would air help or hurt it? I have been using a gauzze and tape as band-aids and tape irritate my skin. Thank you for your help.

Dear Susan: Burns can be treated in two ways, the open method or the closed method. What you have described is the closed method of dressing burns. Either method is acceptable. You should be especially careful as deep burns at flexural areas such as the wrist can result in scarring which can inhibit movement.  You should continue applying a dressing until the skin starts to regenerate.