Burns to the skin are measured in degrees, with the most minor injury being classified as a first-degree burn and the most severe, a third-degree burn. Many first- and second-degree burns can be treated with home remedies. The Mayo Clinic explains that several approaches, such as applying ice or butter to burned skin, are in fact, not safe and could lead to infection. Safe home remedies to treat burns include cooling the skin, covering the affected area, and using herbs and nutrition to soothe and aid healing.
Skin Cooling
First- and small second-degree burns can be treated at home through cooling, according to the Mayo Clinic. Cool, but not ice-cold, water helps reduce swelling of a burn and draws the heat out from the skin.
Hold the burned area under running water for up to 15 minutes at a time, or longer if the burn still hurts. A cool compress made from a soft cloth and cool water can be used instead of a running stream of water if the location of the injury makes using a sink or bathtub difficult.
Skin Protection
Protecting the burned skin is also a home remedy that can help a burn heal. Skin that becomes blistered and sheds is prone to infection. Applying a gauze bandage protects the burn from dirt and debris that could cause an infection and delay the healing process. The limited exposure to the air that is achieved through a loose bandage can also help relieve pain. The Mayo Clinic advises against using bandages that shed fibers, such as a cotton square, because the small pieces can become stuck to the burn and produce more pain.
Herbal Remedies
Home remedies for skin burns can include herbal ointments, including aloe vera and gotu kola.
Aloe vera, the product of the aloe plant's leaves, is a longstanding natural remedy for skin wounds, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) and is commonly used to treat sunburn. Over-the-counter products containing aloe may soothe the pain of a burn and might speed healing, though copious scientific evidence is lacking on the latter.
Gotu kola is a plant native to Southeast Asia and South Africa that contains a substance called triterpenoids. This compound, explains the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC), increases the blood supply to skin injuries such as burns and other wounds, and may help the healing process. Gotu kola may be used in ointment form or taken orally.
Nutritional Remedies
Boosting the amount of certain nutrients consumed can have a positive effect on skin burns, as reported in a 2003 issue of the "Alternative Medicine Review." Wound healing, including skin burns, require protein, vitamins A and C, as well as zinc, to aid the body's repair process. Protein sources lend support to wound remodeling, while the assorted vitamins help reduce inflammation and promote development of collagen, all of which are needed for the skin to heal from any sort of injury. Eating lean proteins, citrus fruits and orange-colored fruits and vegetables can help you get the nutrients you need. Consult a doctor to find out if dietary supplements can help a skin burn heal more quickly.
Member Comments