Home-Made Treatments For Burn Injuries
You won’t know it until you’ve actually been there and felt it, but burn injuries are among the most painful you might be forced to endure. Part of the reason is the difficulty in treating burns. The other part of the reason is the biological processes that follow a burn. When heat exposes some of your nerve endings to the open environment, the body responds with a combination of chemicals and brain signals that result in the excruciating pain that follows. Sometimes, homemade remedies and treatments can be among the best. Here are just a few.
Burn injuries should be treated at home or at the doctor’s office based on severity. Don’t delay seeking medical attention just to prove you’re a tough guy. When you have a minor burn injury, wash the area with cold, soapy water.
Minor burns can be healed with honey or aloe vera. If you’re not the type who likes to pop a pill (in this case some pain relievers and anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen can help you heal faster), then these all-natural remedies are the safest bet. Both have their own anti-inflammatory properties to help you heal just a little bit faster. Honey also helps fight bacteria and fungus that might target such a wound. Aloe vera can fight bacterial infection as well, but will also help restore circulation. Using aloe vera cultivated directly from the plant is the best choice, as some products with aloe vera gel can actually have somewhat low percentages of the popular salve. Be sure to check.
An antibiotic ointment can also prevent infection that might develop. When using any of the aforementioned topical forms of relief, cover the area with saran wrap to help trap the moisture. Try to stay indoors and out of sunlight while your burn recovers, and keep the area underneath the added protection of thick clothing when you do venture out.
Be careful when using cold to help alleviate pain or inflammation. Never apply ice directly to a burned area, as this will likely irritate the injury. Cold compresses wrapped in a couple layers of paper towel are best. When not available, you can place ice in a plastic bag or baggie, and wrap with a towel. When using either approach, be careful not to let the area get too cold or let the ice touch the skin directly. Skin can become numb very quickly.
There aren’t too many options available for burns, and most of the remedies you might read about online can do more harm than good. Stay away from butter, oils, egg whites, toothpaste, and anything else that isn’t sterile. When in doubt, seek the advice of your doctor. If you develop a fever after a burn injury, see a doctor as soon as possible.