Boiling water burn eight or nine days a little swollen broken skin area a little red but no discharge is possible by applying erythromycin ointment to prevent infection. Redness and swelling of the skin lesion without discharge eight or nine days after a boiling water burn suggests that an inflammatory reaction may be present and that the area of the skin lesion is at risk of secondary infection. Erythromycin ointment has antimicrobial activity against most bacteria and thus can be applied to prevent infection. Erythromycin ointment should be used under the supervision of a healthcare professional. Adverse effects are rare, with occasional irritation and allergic reactions, and it is contraindicated in people who are allergic to erythromycin. If the use of erythromycin ointment on the wound is ineffective, you should go to the hospital in time.