Chemical Burn on Ankle

Dear Ask The Doctor: I have a two week old chemical burn on my ankle. It is healing slowly. I am using antibiotic ointment as well as a systemic antibiotic. I have kept the wound bed moist and covered to help my body dissolve the necrotic tissue. The process is working, but is very painful. I am not fond of pain medicine so what I wish to know is if I can put an ice pack or a heating pad over the bandages to help with the pain

Dear Heather: You may use an ice pack to help alleviate the pain assocaited with the burn. You should also dress aplly a clean dry dressing to the wound daily. There is not usually any necrotic tissue on an uncomplicated wound after two weeks. If you still have necrotic tissue in your wound you should have the wound examined for other signs of an infection. An infected burn wound is often associated with significant pain.