We are all of the opinion that burns are caused by touching hot objects or fire. But burns are also caused due to electric appliances or live wire or over exposure to sun etc. There are different burn degrees depending on the burn severity. A mild burn is a first degree burn which cause a red skin and a mild pain and takes about a week to heal. Second-degree burns may cause swelling, blisters and peel the skin. The most severe type of burn is the third-degree burns that cause white or black charred skin. Such third degree burns damage the nerves as well as the skin layers beneath the top layer. Ofcourse for severe burns, home treatment is not enough. But for minor burns and for immediate relief, some essential home remedies are there which I am discussing below:
Remedies for Burns in Diwali
- Water is helpful for a slight scalding touch of something hot like fire crackers but for serious burning water may cause the burned skin to swell up. Use ice immediately on the burn if it is a small one but do not dip the affected area in water.
- Turmeric is a very good natural antiseptic for burns. On Diwali day, keep some turmeric powder handy so that you are able to administer first aid for burns immediately.
- With burns, the chances of infection increases and so applying antiseptic is very essential. If you do not have turmeric or any other antiseptic handy then another effective solution is to cut an onion into half and press that down on the burn
- If you are not comfortable using natural antiseptics then use medicinal ones like Dettol or Salvon.
- If while bursting crackers, the clothes catch fire then do not splash water on them. The water will make the clothes stick to the skin and resulting in more burns. Rather, wrap the person in a blanket immediately or else remove his clothes as soon as you can.
Kitchen Remedies for Burns
First and foremost reduce the temperature of the burnt area. This is done by putting lots of chilled water on the burnt area or dip that body part into chilled water for 15 to 30 minutes.
Another First Aid Burn Treatment which is also considered to be the best first aid for burns is diluted vinegar. Cover the injured area with a cloth, soaked in diluted vinegar of any kind. Vinegar reduces the pain and cool the burnt area. If pains become stronger, change the compress for a fresh one and use as often as needed.
Incase vinegar is not available at home, then apply honey to the wound once you have washed the wound properly. This will heal the wound and prevent infection. Studies have shown that burns treated with honey healed faster and with less pain and scarring.
Papaya contains enzymes that help to remove dead cells from the wound.
You can also soak a flannel in whole milk and apply to the burn.
Herbal Treatment for Burns
Applying lavender oil is also found to be effective for burns.
It is a good idea to grow an
Aloe vera plant in the sunny kitchen window. Slice off a small piece of the fleshy leaf, open it, and apply the fresh sap directly on the burn for a burn first aid. Aloe vera has astringent and tissue-healing properties works great for skin burns. Once the wound starts healing, break a capsule of vitamin E and pour the liquid on it. This will prevent scarring.
Apply Calendula infused oil or Calendula ointment; or make a soothing Marigold compress.
An Age Old Technique: Use Cotton Ash Paste The following remedy is according to ancient Indian Yunani healing-art and it works fantastic. Take a large piece of cotton wool (or any kind of pure, white cotton fabric). Burn the fabric preferable in a metal pot. Use the ash of the burned cotton and mix with olive oil. You can also use cooking oil available at home. Make a thick paste and spread this black paste on the burned skin. Cover it with a cling film.The paste making takes a little time no doubt but it is amazing that the pain disappears in seconds. If the pain comes back use fresh paste on the wound and repeat the process. Use the paste for a week or so and you will see that the healing occurs within a week. No other treatment can beat Cotton-Ash Paste for burns. It is simply the best burn treatment.
