All of us have been exposed at some point in our life to burns of varying degrees. Some people treat burns with ice and cold water and some with honey, others use toothpaste or even medical ointments, and some leave it without using anything until it heals. Here we have a range of home burns treatments, both traditional and unconventional.
Burns:
Certainly, the treatment of burns requires knowledge of the extent of the risk of incineration and whether it requires immediate medical intervention or domestic treatment. Hence, the burns are divided into three levels, the third requiring immediate medical intervention, and the first and second degrees can be treated at home. These levels can be described as follows:
First Degree Burns:
It is the mildest type of burns, affecting only the outer layer of the skin. Usually accompanied by redness of the skin and pain when touching the burning area, and may cause some swelling.
Examples: Sunburn, minor burns caused by exposure to hot steam, minor burns when touching hot liquids.
Second Degree Burns:
In this type, the internal tissues of the skin are damaged, beside the outer layer. These burns are accompanied by severe pain in the burning area, in addition to ulcers and swelling.
Examples: Touching hot metals such as iron, spills of hot liquids on the skin and cases of severe sunburn.
Third Degree Burns:
It is the most dangerous one, in which the outer layer of skin and subcutaneous tissue is affected very sharply. The skin may become brown or black in this type of burns, or may become white or creamy. These burns causes permanent swelling and ulcers, but you will not feel pain due to nerve damage that cause pain. Exposure to this type of burns requires treatment at the hospital because it may lead to trauma and even death if not treated.
Examples: exposure to chemicals, exposure to electricity, direct fire combustion, hot metal touching for longer, combustion with boiling water or very hot oil.
Traditional and non-conventional solutions for the treatment of burns of the first and second degrees:
Above all: If your clothes are not attached to the wound from burning, remove them, as well as jewelry, watches or anything that will touch the affected area.
Then start with the following:
Cold Water:
Using cold water is the best thing to do as a first aid for burns, by pouring it on the affected area to cool it and keep it for 15-30 minutes or more if needed. Contrary to what is known: Beware of using ice or ice water may make the situation worse.
After using cold water, you can choose any of the following solutions:
Diluted Vinegar:
The diluted vinegar acts as a pain reliever and relaxes skin tissues. Cover the affected area with a damp cloth with any vinegar and dilute it with cold water. Repeat the process as soon as the pain returns.
Tea Bags:
For first degree burns, tea bags can be used along with cold water as a treatment for burning. For second degree burns, it is necessary to wait until the wound caused by incineration begins to heal. To use tea bags as a treatment for burns: soak a few bags of black tea for several minutes in cold water and then dip the affected area in it for several minutes, and then you can also put tea bags on the area for a while. Tannin, which is found in tea, is known to have a significant effect in relieving burns.
Egg Whites:
Covering the area affected with egg whites can prove to be a real miracle in the treatment of burns. It does not only relieve the pain but also protects against the effects of burns that deform the skin in the area of injury and accelerates healing of the wound caused by burning. You will not feel the pain of burning when you use egg whites, but once you dry, it will return pain, so repeat the process as long as possible.
Onion Juice:
Simply cut a bulb into two halves, and squeeze it onto the burn area, and you should use it immediately as soon as it is cut because it loses its water after few minutes. Onion juice has an amazing effect in relieving burning pain as well as reducing the possibility of ulceration of the affected area.
Lavender Oil:
You can use lavender oil directly on the affected area. It has an analgesic effect and also accelerates healing and prevents scarring. In the case of extensive burns, a piece of gauze or cloth can be moistened with lavender oil and wrapped around the burning area and then replaced every few hours.
Toothpaste:
Apply plenty of toothpaste (the normal type, do not use gel or liquid) on the affected area and leave it for at least 24 hours. Toothpaste relieves pain and also prevents the formation of pustules bulges.
Soy Sauce:
Soy sauce is one of the most amazingly effective treatments in the case of first and second-degree burns. It is able to relieve the pain, while at the same time it protects the area from the pus. Simply, put plenty of Soy Sauce on the area and leave it for 30 minutes.
Tomato or Potato Slices:
Place a slice of tomatoes or potatoes on the burn area, it can relieve pain and protect against ulcers and pus, especially in the case of tomatoes.
Natural Honey:
Honey is one of the most common burn treatments in all cultures throughout the ages. It can be described as treatment #1 in the case of burns, it reduces pain and prevents the formation of scars and eliminates the impact of burning as if it was not, and prevents the formation of infections. It is recommended to use natural honey as the best treatment for burns.
And finally, abide to the following:
-Do not open pus clusters, they are natural protection of the burning area, to ensure the speed of recovery.
-Do not use ointments on burns.
-After following the first aid, leave the burn until it heals or at least for 24 hours.
Refer to the doctor in cases:
-Third Degree Burns
-When large areas of skin are exposed to second or first-degree burns.
-When the color of the pus or the back of the parenchyma changes.
-If the pain is more severe than normal.
-If the cure of burning takes more than 10-14 days.
-If infants, children or older persons (over the age of 60) are exposed to burns.
