Burns are a nasty surprise. First-degree burns leave a red painful mark without blisters and often occur from mild sunburn or brief contact with a hot object. Only the first layer of skin is affected. Second-degree burns cause blisters and swelling. This can happen when you are splashed with boiling water or even from severe sunburn and can cause scarring. Third-degree burns may look white and charred and may occur from prolonged contact with hot objects or severe electrical shock. Such burns can involve all the skin layers, including the subcutaneous tissue, and often damages muscles and other tissues.
To help alleviate pain from any type of burn, elevate the burned area above the heart to slow circulation. Avoid breaking blisters or removing tissue. An insulated dry cold pack can help relieve pain and so can these tips.
NATURAL REMEDIES FOR HEALING FIRSTAND SECOND-DEGREE BURNS
Fill a basin with cold (not freezing) water and submerge the burned area in it for as long as it takes for the pain to subside. If water is scarce, rinse gently with milk or beer or apply clean water compresses. Never apply anything to a burn before doing this as you can actually seal in the heat, causing more damage. Soaking burned areas in salt water, especially kosher salt, is also beneficial.
Calendula salve, grated carrot, comfrey poultice, cucumber slices, raw honey, tofu, wheat grass, plantain poultice, raw potato or potato juice, vinegar, yogurt, or cooled damp black tea bags can all be applied topically to first-degree burns after the heat has been soaked out of them. These all will have a cooling and anti-inflammatory effect.
After soaking the burn, apply undiluted lavender or tea tree essential oil to the burned area. Give 2 drops Rescue Remedy under the tongue to minimize the trauma of the situation.
Topical application of Saint John’s-Wort oil is also an excellent burn remedy and helps repair nerve damage. Apply any of these remedies three to four times daily. Protect any burned areas from the sun. Avoid applying anything with cotton balls, which have irritating fibers that can stick to the burn. Use clean fingers, a clean piece of cloth, or even a clean new paintbrush.
If you burned your mouth, rinse it with cold water. Then take 2 teaspoons (10 ml) of olive oil and slowly swish it around your mouth. Sucking on ice cubes also helps.
HOMEOPATHICS FOR HEALING BURNS
Homeopathic Urtica urens can be given for first-degree burns. Homeopathic Hypericum is used internally to help repair nerves damaged by burns. Homeopathic Arsenicum album is for burned skin that appears seared, scaly, red, swollen, and is sensitive to touch. Take homeopathic Cantharis, Hypericum, or Causticum for second-degree burns. Homeopathic Urtica can be given for pain that feels like stinging. Homeopathic remedies are used as 3 to 4 pellets dissolved under the tongue 3 or 4 times daily as needed.
Thrifty Cures!
If you burn a fingertip, place your thumb on the back of your earlobe and the burnt fingertip on the front. Press firmly for a minute for relief.
Cures from Grandma’s Kitchen
Try drinking this beneficial tea to help the body heal from a burn:
2 parts comfrey leaf
1 part red clover blossoms
1 part nettles
1 part skullcap
1 part marshmallow root
Drink 1/2 cup (118 ml) every 2 hours along with 1 capsule comfrey root to promote cell regeneration and 1 capsule echinacea to prevent blood poisoning and infection.
NUTRIENTS FOR HEALING BURNS
Eat lots of healing chlorophyll-rich super foods such as spirulina, chlorella, and blue-green algae. These are available in capsules; take up to two capsules three times daily. Also recommended is eating soothing oily avocados, olives, and olive oil to help burns heal and to keep the skin moist.
Burn victims are prone to candida, as injured tissue provides a breeding ground for opportunistic infections. Use an acidophilus supplement to minimize fungal overgrowth, one to two capsules between meals three times daily.
For the recovery phase of burns, take an antioxidant vitamin supplement that contains 1,000 mg vitamin C, 400 IU vitamin E, and 15 mg zinc to promote healing and minimize scarring.
GOOD TO KNOW!
remove rings or tight clothing in the area of the burn; if swelling does occur, these items may be difficult to remove later.
GOOD TO KNOW!
A Chinese patent herbal formula for burns is topical application of Jing Wan Hong (also known as Ching Wan Hung), which can be applied directly to the skin after cleaning or onto clean gauze and then applied to the skin.
Drink plenty of fluids when burned to help replace lost fluids. However, never give an unconscious person anything to consume. Turn an unconscious person on their side to allow body fluids like vomit or saliva to drain to prevent choking. Raise the opposite side of the body with a supportive pillow or cushion.
GOOD TO GROW!
Aloe is naturally cooling and anti-inflammatory, so keep a jar of aloe vera in the refrigerator to use for topical burn application. Aloe plants benefit from having their outer leaves cut, so use the inner gel from older, lower leaves on first-and second-degree burns and reapply several times daily.
WHEN TO SEE YOUR M.D.
Second-degree burns covering more than 15 percent of an adult and 10 percent of a child and all third-degree burns should receive medical attention. In addition, burns that increase in pain more than two days after the incident, discharge pus, or cause problems in moving the joints, or occur with a high fever should be seen by a health professional. Burns on the face may result in blockage of the respiratory tract; get prompt medical attention if swelling occurs or breathing becomes impaired. If there is shock that doesn’t improve, seek medical attention.
This How To Heal a Burn article is taken from :
The Country Almanac of Home Remedies - Brigitte Mars
