Home remedies for burns

The burns are among the most frequent types of injuries there. All of us are daily exposed to suffering an accident of this type in the ogar: an oil splash, contact with a hot iron … Burns that we can treat at home, without the need for medical assistance, are known as first degree ; They cause reddening of the skin and a slight sensation of pain and burning.

Domestic burns

As experts point out, about 60% of burns treated in health centers take place at home . Although sometimes the health consequences are not serious, there are others in which they are; therefore it is important to know how to act

The bathroom and kitchen are the places where the most accidents occur. Something logical considering that both rooms are where the most potential risks are concentrated.

What types of burns are there?

We are going to know the different types of burns that exist and what are the symptoms and characteristics of each one of them.

First degree burns

They are the mildest of all because they only affect the outer layer of the skin. Symptoms of this type of burn include redness, swelling, pain, and shedding of dry skin.

Symptoms disappear as soon as the dead skin cells are shed, which happens about 10 days after the burn occurs; generally, no scars remain.

First degree burns are usually treated at home. It is worth bearing in mind that the faster the treatment is applied, the faster the recovery. Once the burn has occurred, it is best to soak the area in cold water for a minimum of five minutes. Next, a gauze is placed to protect the area and avoid any type of infection. If there is pain, an Ibuprofen can be taken to calm it.

The most important thing is to avoid applying cotton on the burn because the fibers can detach and adhere to the wound.

Second degree burns

They are more severe than first degree burns, causing blisters on the skin, as well as great pain. Once the blisters break, the skin is fully exposed , so it is essential to protect it to avoid infection.

The time it takes for second degree burns to heal is about three weeks. In the most serious cases it may be necessary to resort to a skin graft to treat the area.

In the face of burns of this type, a series of basic precautions must be taken to avoid greater evils: wet the wound with plenty of cold water for at least 20 minutes , take analgesics and apply an ointment prescribed by the doctor. If the burn has occurred in any of the following areas, it is important to go to a hospital: face, hands, buttocks, groin and feet.

Third degree burns

They are the most serious of all since they affect all layers of the skin. In certain serious cases, the patient does not feel pain since the burn in question has even affected the nervous system .

The symptoms of third degree burns are as follows: white on the wound, raised skin, blisters that do not finish developing, and a charred appearance.

In the vast majority of cases, treatment requires surgery. When such a burn occurs, it is essential to contact emergencies as soon as possible. In addition, it is essential to ensure that there are no clothes stuck to the wound; if there is one, it must be removed immediately, with care.

How to act before a burn

Acting correctly and quickly when faced with a burn is essential. These are some of the first aid that should be given.

• The most important thing is to act quickly . The cause of the burn must be eliminated. If there are flames, the most effective is to make the person roll.
• It is essential to look for other possible injuries such as bleeding or fractures . If they exist, the most serious should be treated first.
• The first thing to do before a burn is to refresh the burned area by applying plenty of cold water on the area for 20 or 30 minutes; it should also not be excessively cold because it can cause hypothermia.
• Once the burn is treated, it is best to wrap it with a clean gauze moistened with water. The bandage should not be too tight.

What should not be done in case of burn?

There are a series of actions that must be avoided before a burn because they can be harmful.

• There are many, many people who choose to apply ointments or toothpaste to the burn immediately after it occurs. Well, it is a big mistake; it is enough to apply plenty of cold water, as we have indicated in the previous point.
• It is also not a good idea to break the blisters . The liquid inside them protects against any possible infection. Therefore, breaking the blisters opens a door for the entry of germs.
• In the event that there are flames on the person, they should not be extinguished with water. The correct thing to do is make the person roll or cover them with a blanket.

Home remedies for burns

If you have suffered a burn, surely you are interested in knowing that there is a wide range of home remedies to treat them. They are very effective in reducing both inflammation and pain.

Cold water

This is one of the easiest home remedies for a burn, but at the same time it works very well. Run cold water over the burned area for a few minutes ; You can also place compresses soaked in cold water on it. In this way, you will get a great feeling of relief as it reduces the burning caused by the wound.

In no case is it advisable to place ice on the burn because it reduces blood flow, thus damaging the tissues.

Lavender essential oil

This is one of the best home remedies to treat first and second degree burns. Lavender essential oil has antiseptic and analgesic properties. As soon as it is applied to the wound, it offers instant relief and also prevents scars from developing.

The application is very easy; You simply have to place a few drops of lavender essential oil on a gauze and place it directly on the burned area. The gauze should be changed every two to three hours. This remedy can be applied for a maximum of two days.

Honey

Honey has a wide range of benefits on burned skin that are worth considering. On the one hand, it extracts fluids from the tissues, thus cleaning the area that has been burned . On the other hand, it significantly reduces pain. And finally, if applied correctly, the scar that remains after the burn is also less.

Put some honey on a gauze bandage and apply it directly to the burn. To make it heal faster, the ideal is to change the bandage three to four times a day.

aloe vera

Aloe vera is one of the natural plants with a greater number of properties to take care of the skin. In the event that you have suffered a burn, it will be of great help thanks to its analgesic and astringent properties.

The form of application is as follows. First you must clean the burned area with plenty of cold water; the best way to get it completely clean is to place the burn under the tap for about ten minutes. Next, take an aloe vera pod and open it with the help of a knife and extract the gel that is inside. And finally, soak a bandage with the gel and apply it on the wound; you should change it every three to four hours.

Potato

Another home remedy for burns that works very well since the potato has soothing and anti-irritant properties.

Simply apply a potato slice directly to the burn for instant relief from the wound. In this way, the possibility of blisters is significantly reduced and, in addition, pain is reduced.

Apple vinager

Apple cider vinegar has antiseptic and astringent properties , making it an excellent choice for treating minor skin lesions, such as first degree burns. Its application to a wound of this type largely prevents the development of infections while relieving pain.

To prepare this home remedy you just have to dilute apple cider vinegar in equal parts with cold water. Then, soak a compress in the mixture and apply it on the burn. You can repeat the treatment every three hours as many days as necessary until the wound heals.

Onion

Onion is an ingredient with antibiotic properties ; In addition, it is a natural healing, so it is a very good home remedy to treat superficial burns. In addition, thanks to its sulfur compounds and antioxidants, it significantly reduces pain and irritation.

Cut several onion slices and blend them together with a cup of water. Then, soak a gauze pad in the mixture and apply it directly to the wound.

These are some of the best natural and home remedies to combat burns. If you know of other effective methods, feel free to share it by leaving a comment.