Everybody from one time or another had to deal with some kind of burn. There mainly 3 classifications of burns, depending on how severe the burn is. First degree burns affect only the outer layer of the skin, causing redness and sensitivity to the touch. Most sun-burns are usually first degree burns. Second degree burns effect the underlying skin layers and are characterized by redness, blistering and they are very painful. The worst of them all are third degree burns that affect the entire thickness of the skin and possibly some tissue and muscle. The skin may be red or white or yellowish or leathery or black. There is usually very little pain, if any, because the nerves are usually severely damaged.
There are no burned-in-stone rules about what to do when you’ve encountered searing ovens, sizzling fireplaces or super-hot steam. But here’s the rule of thumb: First- and second-degree burns can usually be self-treated if they’re smaller than a quarter on a child or a silver dollar on an adult. You should see a doctor, however, for larger burns or for burns on infants under 1 year of age or on adults over age 60. Always seek immediate medical attention if burns are third degree.
What to do first
No matter the cause, the key to quick relief is quick relief. Since your cells continue to toast even after you separate yourself from the heat source, what you do in the first few minutes after being burned can make all the difference in how well your skin heals. Here’s how to make the most of that time-and shorten the healing process. You could take some medicine for pain or some chemicals that might harm other organs or you can follow these natural remedies for burns. They are quick, effective and solve the root of the problem.
Milk it. “Milk is an excellent compress for minor burns,” says Stephen M. Purcell, D.O., chairman of the Department of Dermatology at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and assistant clinical professor at Hahnemann University School of Medicine in Philadelphia. “Simply soak the burned area in milk for 15 minutes or so, or apply a milk-soaked washcloth to the area.” Whole milk is effective: Its fat content soothes burns and promotes healing. But make sure to rinse your skin and the washcloth in cool water afterward, because the milk will smell.
Keep it clean. A clean burn is a faster-healing burn. After 24 hours, wash the area gently with soap and water or a mild Betadine solution daily, suggests John Gillies, an emergency medical technician and program director for health services at the Colorado Outward Bound School in Denver. Keep the burn dry and clean and covered with a bandage such as a thick gauze pad between washings.
Prep it with Preparation H. No ifs, ands or buts, this hemorrhoid treatment can slice up to 3 days off the usual 7 to 15 days it takes for most burns to heal, says Jerold Z. Kaplan, M.D., medical director of Alta Bates Burn Center in Berkeley, California. Preparation H works because it contains a yeast derivative that helps speed healing. Simply dab a little on the burn and cover with a fresh sterile bandage every day.
Cool it, but not too much. You probably will instinctively reach for cold water to soothe a new burn. But don’t make it too cold. Using ice water can risk making the burn even worse, because extreme cold can kill just as many skin cells as extreme heat. (That’s why frostbite damage is very similar to the skin damage caused by a bad burn.) Cool, not cold, water will stop the burning from spreading through your tissues and will act as a temporary painkiller. So instead of running to the freezer, head to the kitchen faucet.
To remove hot tar, wax, or melted plastic from the skin, use ice water to harden the heated substance.
Elevate it. One way to help take the sting out of that singe is to position yourself so that the burned area is above the level of your heart, advises Linda Phillips, M.D., assistant professor in the Plastic Surgery Division at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. This helps prevent swelling.
After the burn has been cooled, apply aloe vera gel to ease pain and promote healing. Do not put oils, greasy ointments, or butter on burns. Do not break blisters.
Consuming more vitamin C aids in the healing process for burns and other wounds, so eating plenty of citrus fruits, potatoes and broccoli is helpful, says Las Vegas orthopedic surgeon Michael Rask, M.D., chairman of the American Academy of Neurological and Orthopedic Surgeons and the American Board of Ringside Medicine and Surgery.
Get vitamins A and E for healing. Vitamins A and E, which are antioxidants, can also speed healing, according to Dr. Rask. Good sources of vitamin A include green fruits and vegetables. Cereals and nuts are high in vitamin E-and you can also apply vitamin E directly to the bum. In fact, many people experience faster healing by rubbing the liquid from a vitamin E capsule on the bum once it begins to heal. It will feel good and may prevent scarring.
And discover the zinc link. For healthier skin after the burn (as well as quicker recovery time), consume plenty of foods rich in zinc, suggests Dr. Rask. Oysters are a great source of zinc. Crabmeat, wheat germ and low-fat dairy products also have a good supply.
Recommended Nutrient Intake
Not every nutrient or supplement you swallow is absorbed by your body! Please read carefully the tab on the top of this page called HEALTH RESOURCES! It will explain to you why it is important to take the right supplements and nutrients. Our recommendations below we feel will give you the best possible nutrients and supplements on the market!
Essential Nutrients and Herbs to Take:
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Source Naturals Ultra Colloidal Silver Salve, 2 oz (56.7 g)
Apply topically as directed on the label. A natural antibiotic and disinfectant. Promotes healing |
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Amino Acid 750 mg
As directed on the label Important in the Healing of tissues. |
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Target-Mins Potassium (99mg)
99 mg daily. Needed to replace potassium lost from burns. |
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Beta Carotene (Vitamin A) 10,000 IU 100 Sgels
25,000 IU daily An antioxident and precursor of Vitamin A |
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Vitamin A 25,000 IU – 100 Softgels
100,000 IU daily for 1 month, then reduce to 50,000 IU daily. If you are pregnant, DO NOT exceed 10,000 IU daily Needed for tissue repair. |
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Super Stress B Complex 100 Caps
100 mg daily, with meals. Important in the healing of skin tissue. |
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Jarrow Formulations Methyl-B12, 1000mcg, 100 Lozenges (Pack of 2)
1,000 mcg twice daily. Needed for protein synthesis and cell formation. |
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Vitamin C 1000 Mg Tablets Plus Rose Hips, By Natures Bounty – 100 Tablets
10,000 mg immediately after the burn; 2,000 mg 3 times a day thereafter until healed. An antioxidant that is essential in the formation of collagen. Promotes the healing of burns. |
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Solgar – Natural Vitamin E (Mixed Tocopherols), 400 IU, 100 softgels
Start with 600 IU daily and increase slowly to 1,600 IU daily. Needed for healing and to prevent scarring. |
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Nature Made Calcium and Magnesium with Zinc Supplement, 100-Count Tablets (Pack of 3)
30 mg 3 times a day. DO NOT exceed a total of 100 mg daily from all supplements. Needed for healing tissue |
Please check with your doctor before taking any supplements, and also read the warning labels on each product, especially if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. In addition, read the labels carefully when giving your child any natural supplement, to ensure that it is safe to give a child.
Items to keep in mind for natural remedies for burns to work best. Take all your supplements as directed. Use Aloe vera gel to apply directly to the burn as needed to relieve pain and speed healing AFTER the burn has been coolled. While your body is recovering from second and third degree burns, change your diet to provide for high protein intake and up to 5,000 or 6,000 calories per day. This is needed for tissue repair anjd healing. Watch for signs of infection, odor, pus, or extreme redness in the area of the burn. Pretect the injury from exposure to the sun. Do not forget to drink plenty of fluids throughout the healing process. Keep burn injuries elevated to minimize swelling and promote healing. Keep the burn lightly covered to minimize the chance of bacteria infection. Try adding 1 tablespoon of powered vitamin C to 1 qaurt of cold water and spraying it on the burn site. This has been found to enhance healling. Keep in mind that for serious burns you need to consult a phycian immediately.
