Home Remedies For Burns

A burn is a very traumatic injury, caused by fire, chemicals, steam, electricity, or any other form of heat transfer to the skin (our biggest organ). Burns on less than 10% of the body surface are considered minor. An entire hand is 1% of the body surface. There are three types of burns and they are classified by their severity. First-degree burns: These are the ones to the top layers of the skin, the area becomes red and painful a sunburn is an example of a first-degree burn. Second-degree burns: These are the ones that go deeper damaging more layers of skin, the skin becomes red and extremely painful with blisters. Third-degree burns: These are the most serious of them all, the entire thickness of the skin is destroyed in some cases muscle and other tissues are damaged, there is little pain involved as most of the nerves are burned and the brain is unable to sense pain, the skin turns red or white, without proper care, the area may become infected sometimes it turns yellow or black. In severe burns, a skin graft may be needed.

Types of burns:

First-degree burn 

• it affects only the superficial layer of the skin and is mild.

Second-degree burns 

• it affects the epidermis, the superficial layer, and also the dermis, the deep layer of skin

Third-degree burns 

• it affects the deep layer of skin, and nerve endings and blood vessels may be destroyed.

Causes of Burns:

• Heat
• Sun
• Electric current
• Chemicals
• Radiation
• Steam
• Friction
• Scalding liquids
• Toxic fumes
• Kitchen accidents
• Firecrackers

Symptoms of Burns:

Symptoms of First-Degree Burns:

• Pain
• Reddening skin
• Blistering of skin
• Peeling of skin

Symptoms of Second Degree Burns:

• Blistering of skin
• Extreme redness
• Fluid loss
• Fainting
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Pale, cold skin
• Blue tinge on fingernails and lips

Symptoms of Third Degree Burns:

• Burns may be numb and painless
• Shock
• Dry, leathery skin
• Swelling
• Charred skin
• Accumulation of fluids

Prevention of burns:

• Handle hot objects and hot liquids carefully
• Follow household safety measures.
• Know about fire exit places in homes and workplaces and shopping areas.
• Don’t wear long, loose sleeves while cooking.
• Children should be taught safety measures.
• Apply sunscreen before going in the sun to avoid sunburns.

Do not attempt to treat a third-degree burn yourself these types of injuries are life-threatening and they require professional attention. Natural remedies can help after hospitalization to prevent infection and boost immune system defenses.

In minor burns herbs and homeopathic medicines have remarkable success relieving pain and speeding up healing.

Home Remedies For Burns

1. First-degree burns can be treated with home remedies. Second and Third-degree burns need immediate attention from a doctor
2. Applying a beaten egg on the burns cures them.
3. Apply ice packs to the burnt area for 10-15minutes.
4. Alovera is highly effective in treating burns. Apply aloe vera gel on the burnt area.
5. Applying papaya fruit over the burnt area helps in curing burns.
6. Apply olive oil or sunflower oil on burns. This heals the scalds and blisters.
7. Apply liquid paraffin or petroleum jelly on burns. This reduces cracks in the skin and prevents infection.
8. Wrapping the burnt area with plantain leaf is a common method of treating burns
9. Applying extract of onion juice over the burn. This relieves pain.
10. Immerse the burnt area in cold milk .this soothes the wounded area.
11. Applying lotions containing vitamin A or vitamin E helps in healing the wound caused by burns.
12. Apply Colloidal silver this is a natural antibiotic and disinfectant if the burn is very painful, use it in the spray.
13. Apply a lotion made with vitamin A.
14. Take Vitamin C w/ bioflavonoids this is an antioxidant needed for the formation of collagen. Studies have shown that high doses of vitamin C are very necessary.
15. Take vitamin E needed to prevent scarring.
16. Plantain leaves are a popular remedy for treating burns. These green weedy plants grow practically anywhere in the world with sufficient water. Just don’t confuse this plantain with the banana-like vegetable of the same name. Hit the leaf with a small hammer, enough to smash just a little bit of the plant then wrap the affected area with the leaf.

Author: Dr Izharul Hasan

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