Home Remedies and Herbs for Burns

A burn is heat or corrosion damage to body tissues. Primarily, burns affect the skin but can penetrate deeper into flesh and beyond. ¹
 
There used to be a classification for degrees of burns which were rated based on depth penetration and severity. First-degree burns are the least serious and third-degree burns are the most serious. This classification system of degrees of burns is being replaced by better descriptions of how burns should be treated. Burns are now rated as: 

• Superficial epidermal burns involving the top or outer epidermis skin layer
• Superficial dermal burns penetrating the outer skin and damaging the dermis
• Deep dermal or partial thickness burns penetrating the dermis and affecting subcutis muscle tissue
• Full thickness burns destroying the outer skin layers and damaging muscle tissue

Primary burn treatment is to remove the contributing heat or corrosion source and attempt to cool the burned area as continuing heat creates further damage. Next, the burned area should be cleaned as infection commonly results from burned skin and tissue. ¹
 
What Causes Burns?
 
Burn causes are mainly due to skin contacting hot objects, hot liquids or hot gasses. Other burn causes are being exposed to electrical contact or heat radiation like sunburn from ultraviolet radiation as well as nuclear radiation. Caustic burn causes come from chemical exposure. ^1,2
 
The most common household burn causes are hot liquids, contact with hot stovetop items and direct exposure to fire. ¹

Burns Symptoms
 
Burn symptoms vary with the degree or severity of the wound.¹

• Superficial epidermal burns are painful, dry and red that turn white when pressed. Sunburns are a good example of epidermal burns.
• Superficial dermal burns are more painful, especially with air and temperature changes. Wounds become wet and form blisters. Slight scarring may occur.
• Deep dermal or partial thickness burns are extremely painful and leech liquid. Scarring occurs during the healing process unless careful treatment is applied.
• Full thickness burns often aren’t immediately painful as there is deep nerve damage. Skin will be completely destroyed and flesh will be exposed. Shock and dehydration may result. Full thickness burns require professional treatment and possible surgery including skin grafts.

 
Natural Remedies and Herbs for Burns
 
Burns natural remedies can be applied to all but full thickness burns. Natural treatment focusses on cooling the burned area, restoring moisture and preventing infection. Most burns natural remedies are topically applied.

• Egg White - Egg whites are cold and pull heat from burned skin. Egg whites also contain nutrients like vitamins, minerals and proteins that restore skin and prevent infection.
•  Honey - Honey has natural antiseptic and antibiotic properties that prevent burn symptoms and potential infections.
• Aluminum Foil - Aluminum foil (shiny side in) can be wrapped over a burn after it is cooled with cold water and treated with a burn natural home remedy. Aluminum foil reflects coolness back to the burn and insulates it from outside heat.
• Coconut Oil - Coconut oil is rich in Vitamin E and fatty acids that act as anti-fungal, antioxidant and anti-bacterial treatments for burned skin. Coconut oil moisturizes and soothes burns as well as prevents scarring.
• Aloe Vera - Liquid from the aloe vera plant leaves is one of the best known and most effective natural burn treatments. Aloe vera’s astringent and tissue-healing properties work to cool, moisturize and prevent infection from burns.
• Vinegar and Cold Water - Cold water should immediately be applied to minor burns to begin cooling the skin and stopping further heat radiation damage. Vinegar works as an astringent and antiseptic to help burns symptoms and prevent infection.

References

1. https://medlineplus.gov/burns.html
2. http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/condition/burns