A burn is a type of injury to flesh or skin caused
by heat, electricity, chemicals, friction, or radiation. Burns
that affect only the superficial skin are known as superficial or first-degree
burns. When damage penetrates into some of the underlying layers, it is a
partial-thickness or second-degree burn. In a full-thickness or third-degree
burn, the injury extends to all layers of the skin. A fourth-degree burn
additionally involves injury to deeper tissues, such as muscle or
bone.
The treatment required depends on the
severity of the burn. Superficial burns may be managed with little more than
simple pain relievers, while major burns may require prolonged treatment in specialized burn
centers. Cooling with tap water may help relieve pain and decrease damage;
however, prolonged exposure may result in low body temperature.
Partial-thickness burns may require cleaning with soap and water, followed by
dressings. It is not clear how to manage blisters, but it is probably
reasonable to leave them intact. Full-thickness burns usually require surgical
treatments, such as skin grafting. Extensive burns often require large
amounts of intravenous fluid, because the subsequent inflammatory response
causes significant capillary fluid leakage and edema. The most
common complications of burns involve infection.
Remedies
for Minor Burn Relief
1. Honey
Applying raw
honey directly on the burned area helps in producing fewer scars because of its
antiseptic properties.
2. Aloe
Vera Gel
The soothing
and rejuvenating properties of aloe vera gel helps in cooling the sun burns and
razor burns. Direct application of fresh aloe vera gel quickly soothes painful
burns and even heals serious burns, without leaving any scar.
3.
Diluted Vinegar
Cover the
burned area with a cloth, soaked in diluted vinegar. It heals and soothes burns
faster and is one of the widely accepted first aid medication in cases of
burns.
4. Banana
Peel
Putting a
banana peel on the burned area till it becomes black is a beneficial remedy to
cure burns.
5.
Diluted Lavender Oil
A
combination of lavender oil, aloe vera gel, vitamin C, and vitamin E can be
applied daily to reduce the pain in the burns.
6. Egg
White
To get
relief from minor burns, beat the egg white and then, apply to the burned skin.
It provides instant relief.
7. Onion
Placing a
piece of onion on the burned area helps in removing redness and pain.
8. Tea
Bags
The tannic
acid present in the tea draw heat from burn. Put 2-3 teabags in cold water and
dab the tea with cotton on the burned skin, gently.
9. Lemon
Juice and Coconut Oil
Mix a few
drops of lemon juice in coconut oil. Apply this mixture on the burns to
facilitate fast healing.
10.
Vitamin E Oil
Use Vitamin
E oil on the burned area. Else, take a Vitamin E capsule, crush it and apply on
the affected area.
Remedies
for Razor Burn
Shaving
causes severe cuts and eventually, burns. Razor burn is caused due to sensitive
skin, thick and coarse hair. However, there are various natural remedies that
can provide relief from the razor burns.
1.
Aspirin
Mix a
teaspoon of warm water with two uncoated aspirin tablets and apply the paste on
the razor burn. After a while, you will feel no burning sensation.
2. Apple
Cider Vinegar
Rubbing of
apple cider vinegar on the affected area can also give an instant relief from
razor burns.
3.
Strawberry and Sour Cream
A homemade
mask of 2 strawberries and 1 teaspoon of sour cream can also be applied to
reduce inflammation, caused due to razor burns. Simply, add mashed strawberries
with one tsp of sour cream and apply it on the face and legs after shaving. Wash
it after ten minutes.
5. Ice
Pack
To pacify
inflammation on the skin, apply cold water or ice pack.
6. Home
Made Lotion
Mix 1 tbsp
of dried calendula flowers and comfrey leaves in half cup of witch hazel
extract. Leave it for 2 weeks. Then, strain it. Now, take ¼ cup of this
solution and to it, add 4-5 drops of sandalwood essential oil, 4-5 drops of
lavender essential oil, ¼ tsp vegetable glycerine and ¼ cup of rose water.
Store this solution in a cool place. Use it as after-shave lotion. Don’t forget
to shake it before use.
Home
Remedies for Sunburn Relief
If you have
over exposed your skin to the sun, eventually suffering with sunburn, there are
certain homemade remedies that can relieve you with the problem.
1. Cool
Compress
Apply a cool
compress on the affected area.
2. Apple
Cider Vinegar
Add a cup of
apple cider vinegar in your bathing water. It helps in balancing the pH of the
sunburned skin.
3.
Potatoes
Grate
potatoes and apply them to the sunburned skin. The starch of potato is an
excellent homemade sunburn relief.
4.
Oatmeal Bath
Soak
yourself in an oatmeal bath for getting an instant relief from the itchy
sunburned skin.
5. Cold
Milk
To ease
yourself from the discomfort of sunburn, apply cold milk on the affected area
with the help of a cotton or cloth.
6.
Cucumbers
Mash
cucumbers and apply them on the sunburned area. The analgesic and antioxidant
properties of cucumber help in treating the skin, affected by sunburn.
7. Epsom
Salt and Baking Soda
Dissolve
baking soda and Epsom salt in water and damp a clean cloth in it. Drape the
cloth over the burned area.
8.
Peppermint Oil
As long as
the skin is not blistered, apply peppermint oil to the sunburned skin.
9. Black
or Green Tea
To soothe
burned skin, add green or black tea in the bath water or pat the skin with
soaked teabags.
10.
Baking Soda
Dissolve 1-2
cups of baking soda in cool bath water. Soak yourself in this water for half-an
hour. Else, fill cool water in a spray bottle. Dissolve ¼ cup of baking soda in
it. Sprinkle it on the skin.
11.
Cornstarch
Add water to
cornstarch to prepare a paste. Apply this paste on the burned skin.
Alternatively, take cool water in a spray bottle and mix cornstarch in it.
Spritz it on the affected skin.
12. Witch
Hazel
Spray some
witch hazel directly on the burned skin to get relief.
13.
Tomatoes
Mash a
tomato. Add an equal quantity of buttermilk to it. Apply it on the sunburned
skin.
Tips for
Instant Burn Relief
When
somebody suffers from burn due to any cause, there are various first-aids that
should be provided immediately to the sufferer for an instant burn relief.
- Place the affected area immediately
under water. Remember not to use very cold water. Rinse the affected area
with water at room temperature.
- Remove any sort of clothing, ornaments
or jewellery from the affected area, without delay.
- To avoid the skin from drying up and
alleviating the discomfort, apply some anaesthetic lotion to the burned
area.
- Take an over-the counter medication,
if the pain is unbearable.
- Avoid touching or breaking the
blisters.