Can i continue to use a burnt halogen bulb (fogs)

I installed a new halogen fog light bulb last night (55W), and accidentally touched it with my fingers. I didn't think this would be a big deal until I was driving today with it on, and after just 10 minutes started smelling something burning. I removed the bulb to check it and sure enough theres a black burn spot on the glass, likely from any oil on my fingers.

Now, what does this mean I have to do? Can I clean it with alcohol and maybe wipe off any oil still left on the bulbs (again, they were only on for 10-15 minutes), or is it too late and I have to toss the new bulb already? Will it explode in my fog housing if I continue to use it?

I dont mind if it shortens the lifespan since bulbs are cheap and I can replace it again now that I know how to do it - what I do mind is if it causes damage to the housing or fog lenses, or will have a constant burning smell.

Remember the bulb isn't burnt out, its' just burnt on the glass - Is it safe to use this? Thanks.

 

Is exploding usually the fate of all burnt bulbs? If it explodes in the housing, does it take the housing with it?

When I turned off my headlights/foglights, the burning smell disappated and stopped - so what else could it be? About 15 minutes later I turned on my bulbs again and waited 10 minutes for a smell, but nothing. My thought is that they had already burned that first time, and that was it, possibly meaning its too late to clean?

I've never had that burning smell (albeit it was very faint) and only played with the fogs last night, but didnt mess with the wires or anything. Is it a coincidence or fog related? Bulb is to factory specs.

 

Good point, but then I have to buy another pair of bulbs and I hate buying things twice. If it shatters in a year, fine, I dont mind that. If we're talking about it shattering next week then I would definitely take your suggestion. I dont know though, given my situation how long do these things last?

 

As you mentioned in your first post, I just realized I would hate to clean the housing full of broken glass. I did some research on the internet and it doesn't sound easy to clean out. I bet I could barely reach my hand up there to even touch edge of the housing. Then to go in that narrow hole? No thanks...

Now, you guess less than a month. Less than a month before it explodes, or less than a month before it burns out? 2 very different outcomes, the latter which I'm more than willing to live with.

 

Do you know this for sure? Everyone else seems to say otherwise.

So if I clean it and can wipe the burn mark off, then problem solved?

 

Ok thanks for all the help so far - I cleaned off the bulb with alcohol and reinstalled it. Apparently the burn was hardly noticeable and came right off. I think I'll be fine, but I have a new concern. I noticed the tip of the bulb (the opaque chalky part) is VERY scratched up. Is this as bad as the fingerprints on the glass? Does it lead to uneven heating and thus cracking/exploding etc? I'm not sure what the consequences are of a scratched up tip.

The color output is fine BTW. It matches the other non-scratched side.

And I still can't figure out where that burning smell came from if the bulb was barely burned.