Home Remedies for burns- Natural Treatment

How often do you hear of burn accidents occurring in homes? 

Here are some Key facts about burns according to the World Health Organization(WHO):

•An estimated 180 000 deaths every year are caused by burns – the vast majority occur in low- and middle-income countries.

•Non-fatal burn injuries are a leading cause of morbidity.

•Burns occur mainly in the home and workplace.

•Burns are preventable.

OVERVIEW

Burns are one of the most common household injuries, you can’t be too careful. They also can be very unpleasant, leading to skin damage such as scars and keloids.

The severity of a burn will determine whether a person needs to seek emergency treatment, but not all burns require hospital visits. Sometimes, a person can treat a burn at home. Read further to discover a unique step by step home treatment for burns using natural products.

BURNS AND ITS CLASSIFICATION

A burn is a damage on the skin or other parts of the body, caused by heat (steam), flames, contact with heated substance (hot oil, hot water and  iron burn), electrical or chemical.

The classification of a burn is based on the degree of severity. A first-degree burn is the least severe because it affects only the outer layer of the skin. It is similar to a sunburn and causes swelling, redness and mild pain. Blisters may occur.

Second-degree burns are more severe, affecting deeper layers of the skin. It causes more intense pain with a greater degree of blisters giving wet and shiny skin. 

For third-degree burns, damages occur to all layer of the skin, thereby causing loss of skin colour. It can lead to loss of sensation.

Fourth-degree burns may involve joints and bones damage. Third-degree and fourth-degree burns should only be treated in a hospital; they should be considered as a medical emergency.

Most first and second-degree burns that are less than 3 inches in diameter can be treated at home. Severe burns should be taken to the hospital for proper treatment. 

AMAZING HOME REMEDIES FOR MILD BURNS

Typically, it takes about one to two weeks for a burn to completely heal, when it’s a mild case. The goal of burn treatment is to reduce pain, prevent infections and completely heal without having skin damages such as scars and keloids.

Below is the step by step treatment of burns:

1.      Cool water

The first thing to do when a mild to moderate burns accident occurs at home is to run cool water gently over the burn area (not cold water) for about 20minutes. Mop the area gently with a soft towel afterwards. The function of the water is to help constrict the blood vessel, avoiding a widespread of the burns.

 

2.     Honey

Add honey to the affected area for about 2hours. Honey has been discovered to have anti-inflammatory, antifungal and antibacterial properties, therefore using honey reduce the risk of getting the area infected. It can also soothe burned skin and ease the pain.

 

3.     Pap (‘Akamu’ or ‘Ogi’)

Pap is a Nigerian cereal made from fermented corn or millet.  It's fondly called ‘Ogi’ by the Yorubas, ‘Akamu’ by the Igbos and ‘Koko’ by the Hausas.

The uncooked pap further helps to constrict the blood vessels and also reduce the possibility of having an injury or a wound. Pap helps to avoid a widespread of blisters.

Apply pap lightly on the area after 2hours of applying the honey, allow it to stay for the rest of day. Do not rub during this process. Repeat this for the next two days, when the blister is fully formed.

If you can’t get pap around, aloe vera is a good substitution, apply the gel gotten from the plant on the area. If you decide to buy aloe vera from the store, make sure it contains a high percentage of aloe vera in it.

 

4.      Fruits

For your immune system, you need to take fruits high in vitamin c during this period, especially citrus fruits such as orange, tangerine and so on. The study has shown that vitamin c can help speed up wound healing. In the case of blisters, vitamin c helps to reabsorb the fluid (electrolyte) back into the body, preventing dehydration.

 

5.      Shea butter

For the final process, apply shea butter on the affected area morning and night, until your skin colour and texture is completely restored. This should take about two weeks to four weeks, depending on the degree. Shea butter helps to soothe the skin, preventing wrinkles.

 

After about three to five days of treatment, you will discover an itchy sensation on that area, try not to itch the area, it shows the healing process has begun. Instead of itching, add salt to warm water and gently mop the area, using a soft towel.

Don’t be tempted to burst the blister, because it can lead to a big wound which will eventually leave a scar.

 

CONCLUSION

The steps given above can work perfectly for first and second-degree burn less than 3 inches in diameter (mild to moderate burns), follow it accordingly and see how your skin transform back to its usual look. If after two days, you still feel discomfort and pain, get an OTC(Over-the-counter) pain relief drug such as ibuprofen, ensure you read prescription well before use.

 

Thanks for reading through.

If you find this article helpful and informative, share with it with your loved ones.