How do I treat a second-degree burn?

How to treat a possibly second degree burn? Help!?

• Today in school i got burnt by a piece of very hot copper just below my elbow (vocational school). the school nurse wrapped my arm with something to cool the burn and gave me bacitracin ointment packets to put on the burn. Will this really help my burn? I unwrapped it before i took a shower and noticed it was pale but now its pinkish, is this good? Also, should i let it breathe or cover it up? and one more thing, will it scar and how can i prevent it if it might?!

• Answer:

  Do not air it out, always keep injuries covered to prevent infection, airing it out does not speed up healing that is actually a myth. Use burn gel which can be purchased at a Pharmacy over-the-counter if you experience pain. It may or may not scar, that depends on how easily you scar individually and exactly how severe the burn is, it also depends on how properly you take care of it while healing. Make sure you change Bandages regularly so it is always sanitary. If it Blister's, do not pop the Blister as that will likely cause scarring and risk infection as well. If it scars, there are scar gels that can be purchased at Pharmacy's too, but give it a little while this will probably heal up fine. Also, granted I cannot see the burn to verify this, 2nd Degree burns tend to Blister so if you do not develop a Blister it is quite likely a 1st Degree burn.