As the weather gets colder, people naturally gravitate toward steaming hot foods like fish cake soup, hotteok, and steamed buns. However, eating such hot foods too quickly can result in burns inside the mouth, which require proper care to prevent further complications. This article explores the types of oral burns and how to address them effectively.
Be Careful of Oral Burns
Burns in the mouth typically occur when swallowing hot foods like soup or stew or inhaling steam while cooking with fire. Even a mild burn can damage the delicate skin tissue in the mouth, making it susceptible to bacteria. This can slow recovery and lead to conditions like stomatitis.
Types of Oral Burns
Oral burns can be categorized by location, such as oral cavity and pharyngeal burns. They can also be classified based on the cause: scalding burns from hot liquids like coffee or tea, contact burns from heated utensils like spoons, and inhalation burns from hot smoke in fire situations. Additionally, we can distinguish between first-, second-, and third-degree burns based on severity.
Relatively Mild First-Degree Burns
A mild first-degree burn causes redness and slight swelling in the affected area, often accompanied by a tingling sensation and pain while eating. Rinsing the mouth with cool water and staying hydrated will help ensure a quick recovery.
Second-Degree Burns Require Caution
Second-degree burns require more attention, as they can cause blisters, severe pain, swelling, and inflammation. The skin on the tongue or lips may peel, leading to bleeding, and pharyngeal burns can result in breathing difficulties due to swelling. Severe third-degree burns damage the skin, turning it white or black, and may lead to ulcers, affecting deeper tissues.
Avoid Using Ice
Applying ice directly to a burn or continuously sipping very cold ice water can worsen the injury. Cold water constricts blood vessels, hindering blood flow to the burn area and slowing recovery.
Quick Judgment is Key
Oral burns are often considered minor, leading many to leave them untreated. However, improper care may exacerbate inflammation or lead to secondary issues. Particularly with pharyngeal burns, immediate medical attention is crucial. Checking food temperatures before eating is a good preventive measure.
The Challenge of Inspecting Oral Burns
The mouth’s moist environment generally facilitates faster recovery than other body parts. However, it is difficult to inspect oral injuries independently. If a burn is severe or healing is prolonged, it is advisable to visit a burn specialist for diagnosis and treatment.
How to Speed Up Recovery?
To prevent oral and pharyngeal burns, follow some precautions. If you see steam rising from very hot food, serve it on a plate and let it cool before eating. For foods like steamed buns or roasted sweet potatoes, cut them with a knife or chopsticks to allow them to cool before consumption. Elderly individuals and children are particularly vulnerable to burns, so extra caution is necessary.
Avoid Acidic Beverages
Avoid consuming acidic drinks like coffee, wine, and carbonated beverages until oral wounds have healed. They can irritate the affected area and hinder recovery. Extremely cold foods can also slow the healing process, so opt for lukewarm foods instead. Hard foods like snacks or nuts should also be avoided, as they may worsen the injury.
Precautions Before Wounds Heal
Consume soft foods and maintain hydration to ensure adequate nutrition. Brush the unaffected areas of the mouth and use mouthwash for the rest. Avoid spicy and salty foods that can irritate the burn, and use oral burn ointments to prevent secondary infections. If blisters form, do not touch or pop them; leave them intact for healing.
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