Home Remedies for Burns
Home remedies for burns include usage of cold water, honey, fruits, turmeric, tea bags, plantain leaves, calendula, salt, papaya, lavender oil, potato, vinegar, aloe vera, tea tree etc in different forms. Burns refer to a condition which occurs when a part of body gets affected due to thermal, chemical or electrical effects which heat up the body cells, thereby damaging them.
Burns can be of three types depending on there severity. Simple home remedies may alleviate the effect of burning in few days in case of first order burn but for third order burn medical consultation must be sought.
What are burns?
Burns represent a serious condition in which a body part is affected by fire or any electrical gadget and group of cells or a tissue gets damaged.
There is a variety of causes that form the base of this health problem. Let us know some of the causes here.
Causes of burns
Burns may be due to daily activities like use of toaster, stove, iron, chemicals etc. Thermal burns are caused due to holding hot objects, falling of warm liquid, fire or exposure to steam. Electrical burns are due to electrical gadgets like oven. Chemicals may also cause serious injuries and accidents. Radiations like ultra violet rays are also major cause of skin damage. Over exposure to sun, hot water bath, smoking carelessly are some of the burns that occur consciously.
Types of burns
On the basis of degree of severity, burns are classified into three categories.
First Degree Burns: Burns of first degree affect only the outermost skin layer. This usually leads to redness and pain. They are less severe and can be easily cured by following age old home remedies.
Second Degree Burns: Burns of second degree affect little deeper thereby damaging blood vessels and underlying tissues and appearance of blisters. It may sometimes cover larger portion of the body and may be cured by home remedies.
Third Degree Burns: Unlike first degree and second degree burns, the third degree burns are the most severe and medical action must be sought as soon as possible. Such burns destroy skin, blood vessels, tissues, glands, nerves and even bones. These appear white in colour, leathery or charred and painless due to nerve damage. It may also be the cause of death.
Symptoms
First and second degree burns are characterized by following symptoms-
Redness
Pain
Swelling
Itching
Peeling off of skin
Burning sensation
Fever
Purple colour
Thirst
Skin becomes dry
Weakness
Less urination
Home remedies for burns
Some of the immediate and long term treatments by home remedies are given as under:
Cold Water: It is the best way to cool the burn by putting the burnt part under running cold water or applying ice on the same. This should be continued for up to 10 minutes. One must also drink at least 8-10 glass of water daily till the time the burn is cured.
Honey: It is medically proven that applying honey over the second degree burns prevents any kind of infection if possible. A few drops of honey are sufficient to prevent infection as it is highly concentrated.
Fruits: Fruits are rich in antioxidants. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, fruits must be taken regularly for the early healing of burns. Tomato, cherries, and blueberries are good sources of antioxidants. Vegetables like peppers and squash too are antioxidants.
Turmeric: It is good to take turmeric in the form of powder mixed in warm milk at night while sleeping. It is known to cure inflammation and pain.
Tea Bags: Dip tea bag in water and keep it over the burnt surface. This helps in drawing heat and giving a soothing effect due to presence of tannins. Otherwise, tea can be boiled in a cup of water and strained. This can now be applied over the burn using a clean cloth or cotton.
Plantain Leaves: Plantago which is otherwise known as ‘Isab Ki Bhusi’ is known to have expectorant properties, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects. These also produce mucilage that is a source of wetness in the burnt area. Juice from its leaves should be applied on the burnt portion of body.
Calendula: This herb calendula is good for treatment of burns as it regenerates the burnt skin and reduces the appearance of scar. It can be applied during the healing process of the burn regularly.
Salt: Mouth burn caused due to eating hot food can be relieved by rinsing mouth with water having some amount of salt. This should be followed every 2 hours.
Papaya: Papaya can be applied on to the affected area as it contains enzyme that have ability to remove all the dead cells. But the pulp should be applied after 3-4 days after the internal healing process has started.
Lavender Oil: The oil obtained from lavender is known to be effective for burns. These must be applied with mild hands after few days of injury.
Potato: It is observed that peel of boiled potato can be applied over the burnt area in the initial phase. This aids in early recovery and protection from infectious agents. It is being practiced in many hospitals.
Vinegar: As an antiseptic and astringent, vinegar works well in preventing infections. These should be diluted with water and applied over the affected area.
Aloe Vera: The gel obtained from aloe vera is known for its healing properties, analgesic action and a cooling effect. According to Doctor’s Book of Home Remedies, aloe gel should be applied 2-3 times a day over the burnt area.
Tea Tree Oil: Oil obtained from tea tree should be diluted with little amount of water. This is to be applied over the affected area.
It is advised that individuals who have had suffered from a third degree burn may massage the affected area regularly. This increases the blood circulation and nutrient and oxygen supply in the same so as to recover and regain the lost cells and tissues.
This is a critical period when special requirements of the body are to be fulfilled. More amounts of minerals and vitamins must be given in the regular diet to the burnt individual. More of proteins in the form of pulses and green vegetables should be given for timely build up of tissues.
Food items like coffee, tea, tobacco or alcohol are to be avoided as these are stimulants. Red meat, pastas, bread, donuts, French fries and other refined items must not be consumed by the burnt individual.
References: University of Maryland Medical Center and Doctor’s Book of Home Remedies.
