Skin can get burnt due to various reasons, and mild, first degree burns can be treated easily using some home remedies. Here are some quick and easy home remedies to cure mild burns.
A skin burn is a condition of the skin, characterized by skin damage due to exposure to excessive heat or fire. Depending upon the severity of damage that they cause to the skin, burns have been categorized into minor burns, first degree burns, second degree burns, and third degree burns. Third degree burns are the most severe, and require immediate and high level of medical treatment or else, it can also result in death. Second degree burns are a little less severe than third degree types, and cause damage to the inner layers of the skin. A second degree burn is characterized by sore blisters that are swollen and painful as well.
First degree burns cause damage to the top layer of the skin, and are relatively less painful. They can be treated using first aid like, topical creams and ointments, and some home remedies. Burns are caused due to exposure to fire, electric shock, chemicals coming in contact with the skin, radiation, or even due to exposure of the skin to direct sunlight, for a long time.
Home Remedies for First Degree Burns
- Soaking the burned area in cold milk or cold water is a good home remedy to treat a mild burn. This will also prevent the burned area from forming blisters or pus boils. Use cold water and not ice water, as ice water can worsen the burn.
- Rub vitamin E oil on the burned area, and consume vitamin A and E capsules, to heal the injury faster.
- Applying egg whites on the wounded area will help soothe and heal it.
- Apply onion as soon as possible to relieve the pain.
- Prepare cotton ash paste by burning absorbent cotton, and mixing the ashes with olive oil. Make a thick paste and apply it on the affected area. It will heal quickly.
- Apply diluted vinegar on the affected area to soothe the pain and relieve the burning sensation.
- Apply only honey to the burn or mix it with olive oil and apply it after washing the wound with cool water.
- To relieve the itching that occurs in the process of healing, soak the burned area in a tub of lukewarm water and oatmeal.
- Mouth burns can be relieved by rinsing with a solution of salt, or by holding a mouthful of sugar on the affected area in the mouth.
- The best home remedy to heal sunburn is to soak yourself in a bathtub filled with cold water, or to hold an ice compress to the burned area.
Home Remedies for Chemical Burns
- To treat chemical burns, make a compress of a mixture of cold water and vinegar, and hold it to the wound until the pain subsides.
- Keep the wound clean and dry. Do not let it come in contact with moisture.
- Applying aloe vera gel can be of immense help in healing chemical burns.
- Applying a paste of yellow mustard will also help. Wash it off once the paste dries.
- If the burn is too painful, applying colloidal silver can help cure it and relieve the pain.
- Prepare a decoction by boiling together mint leaves, a few tea bags, and water. Strain the liquid obtained from this mixture, and allow it to cool in the refrigerator. Dab this onto the affected area, and allow it to dry and then, wash it off.
- Applying lavender essential oil and calendula infused oil can be extremely helpful herbal remedies for burns.
There are certain things, which have been misunderstood as remedies for burns, one of them being toothpaste. Never apply toothpaste on the burned area, as it may delay the healing of blisters (if any), and worsen the already damaged skin. As mentioned before, these home remedies should be used only for first degree burns and the ones milder than that. For higher degree burns, medical assistance is advised.
