Burns around the house are inevitable. As much as we try to avoid them, we pick up a hot pan at the wrong time, get too close to the cook-out fire or stick our hand in the scalding water.
But what is a minor burn? Few of us are expert enough to tell if a burn is a first, second, or third degree. Well, if the burn is larger than a quarter, you probably should see the Doctor. Otherwise, try these other home remedies.
1 Cold Water
The quicker you can cool the fire, the better. If the burn is superficial and covers only a small area, pour on cold water for an hour or more, if necessary. Cold water acts as a painkiller and stops the burn from spreading to surrounding tissues.
Don’t use ice right away, that can make the burn worse. If the burn is on an area of the body you can’t immerse in water, apply cold, wet compresses.
2 Keep it clean and dry
For the first 24 hours after the accident, soak the burned area four times a day with soap and water. In between, keep it clean and dry.
3 Butter don’t help
Butter doesn’t help! It simply holds in the heat and increases the risk of infection. So never use butter over the burned area.
4 Superficial burns heal easily
Superficial burns heal pretty well on their own, although antibiotic ointments are useful after the natural healing process has begun.
5 Aloe vera
If you have aloe vera plants around the house, break off a piece and use its natural healing lotion. Over the counter aloe creams also work and it is a magnificent healing agent for burns.
6 Preparation H
Another home remedy that really helps is Preparation H, the over the counter hemorrhoid medication. The ingredients speed the healing process.
7 Vitamin E Capsule
Many people have found that the solution inside a capsule of vitamin-E, when spread over a healing burn wound, is not only soothing but also lessens scarring.
8 Hold it high
One easy home remedy for taking the sting out of burns is to elevate the burned area, if possible, higher than your heart.
9 Water
The most common chemical burns that occur around the house are from lye, lime or acids such as hydrochloric and sulfuric.
With these, as with burns from the fire, the first and best home remedy is lots of water. However, make sure you brush off any excess lime first since the reaction between the water and the lime could produce a dangerous amount of heat.
10 Water and Baking soda
Acid burns should always be flushed immediately with plenty of water. After that, head for the kitchen cabinet and that trusty box of baking soda. A solution of baking soda and water will help neutralize the acid.
11 Sugar for tongue
And few burns are more irritating than a singed tongue! The next time hot coffee or tea burns your tongue – eat some sugar. For some reason, the sweetness takes the sting away.