The bigger picture

Once Andy has sought medical attention, he needs to be aware of the signs that his burn has become infected, which is more likely as his skin has blistered. These include an unanticipated increase in the level of discomfort, pain or smelliness at the site, a temperature of 38°C or higher, and signs of cellulitis (the skin will become red, hot, swollen and tender). Occasionally, an infected burn can lead to sepsis (blood poisoning) or toxic shock syndrome, which can be fatal, so Andy should seek urgent medical advice if he develops a high fever or experiences unexplained vomiting or dizziness.

In the longer term, Andy may have concerns about scarring. He can minimise this – once the wound has healed – by applying an emollient to the affected area a few times a day, and making sure he uses sun cream with a high sun protection factor when he goes outside.