Hands, tongues and never been kissed...

The Hand!

On Saturday I did a silly thing. I had two things in the oven.  A frying pan of kedgeree and a tray of roasting beetroot.  Needless to say the frying pan handle was hot – extremely so.  I took it out of the oven.  I’m not that daft – I used an oven glove to pick it up.  I placed it on top of the stove.  A minute or two later I took the tray of beetroot out of the oven.  I’m not that daft – I used an oven glove to pick it up.

There wasn’t quite enough room on top of the stove to put it down so I used my left hand to pick up the frying pan by the handle.  I’m that daft – I failed to use an oven glove to pick it up. 

I shoved burns cream on it - we keep it by the stove because I'm always burning myself.  Not usually through stupidity but because my sensory nerves don't register heat or cold properly.  Then  I put my hand in cold water.

After ten minutes I realised the agony wasn’t just going to disappear so I called Richard in.  He looked up what to do on the Internet.  Apparently very cold water is the worst thing you can do. If the shock to the heart doesn’t kill you the agony from the extreme temperature change does.  So we added some hot water until it was cool.  Aaah. Moderate relief.  The problem was I couldn't take my hand out of the water for the next two hours.  Every time I did I was doubled up in agony.  Eventually I managed it and I sat and watched the TV while Richard plied me with cups of tea in the hope it might take my mind of it as I watched the blisters grow and grow.  

Richard had also looked up whether one should go to hospital – It said anyone over 60 should, any severe burn to the hand should, anyone with heart problems should, etc. etc....  Obviously I decided not to.  After all, I’m a bloke!

Any way.  This is what you should do if you ever burn your hand really badly -

Immediately put your hand in lukewarm /warm water to stop the burning process.  It can possibly avoid blistering as well.  Never put any kind of burn cream or balm or butter or suchlike on it because that will contain the heat and keep it burning.  Under no circumstances use ice cold water - that puts your hand into shock and can also give anyone with a weak heart a heart attack - always use lukewarm water.

Leave it under water for at least 10-15 minutes so it can cool the tissues underneath to prevent it from continuing to burn within.  If need be, keep it under for as long as is necessary to stop the pain being unbearable. 

Only then should you apply your burn cream.  Among the herbal remedies recommended if you lack burn cream but have them in the house are aloe vera or lavender oil in a carrier oil.

Never pop the blisters.

Wrap with gauze only if you are going to be covering it with clothing or while you are sleeping.   The rest of the time leave it open to air - this will help it heal faster.

For pain take ibuprofen (it has an anti-inflammatory in it to help reduce swelling).  Take 200-400mg every 6 hours but no more than 1200mg in 24 hours.

Report to the E.R. if:

- the redness or swelling subsequently increases

- the burn begins to drain pus of any color

- you begin to run a fever of 101.0 or higher

- you have red lines extending up your hand to the rest of your body

All of the above are signs of infection and you'll need antibiotics a.s.a.p. to treat it.

I'll spare you a picture of my hand but suffice to say it has survived a lot bettrer than I desrved and whikst I can't grab anything at the moment I can at least use a couple of finger tips for typing..

 Old Postcards

I have bought some old postcards on E-bay.  They are a mixture of unused and posted.  Whilst I was really after the unused ones to use for postcrossing the used ones are equally interesting.  I loved this one to Ethel from her friend Jinnie in 1907.

 I'll treat you to some more of these another time.

For those suffering from Ivy withdrawal symptoms...

You’ve heard of a Terrapin

And a Pterosauraurus?

May I now introduce you

To a little Terropus….

“How come she’s allowed out and I’m not?”

“A girl’s got to keep herself clean.  You never know when a young Tom might come along!”

“Did you know my tongue has backwards-facing rigid spines about 500 micrometers long, which contain keratin and are called papillae. These spines allow us to groom ourselves by licking our fur, with the rows of papillae acting like a hairbrush.”

“Have you noticed my new collar.”

“Those meanies have put a bell on it to warn the birdies and mice when I am eventually allowed out.  I've been very good and not complained about it at all.”