It is common to have minor burns once in a while, particularly in the kitchen by steam or coming in contact with a hot object. Minor burns, also called the first degree burns are burns on the outer layer of skin. Skin becomes red and painful. Sun exposure burn can also fall into this category.
Immediate care of such minor skin burns with home remedies can protect you from pain, agony and leaving a permanent scar on the skin.
Use one or more of the following remedies to protect you skin and pain relief from the burns.
1. Cold Water to Stop Spreading the Burn
The first and most important step is to stop the spread of the burn. Cold water is the best first aid. Keep pouring cold water for 10-20 minutes on the burn area. If it is your hand then keep it under the running tap water.
This will not only stop spreading the burn, but will also give you pain relief. You can repeat the process after hours of the burn, but this time for the pain relief as the spreading of the burn had already stopped during the first application.
2. Honey as Antiseptic
Honey usually is available in most kitchens. After the water treatment, dry skin gently with cotton balls without smearing the burn. Apply layer of honey on the affected area. Honey has antiseptic properties so it will protect it from getting infected.
3. Potato for Soothing and Healing
If honey is not readily available, then use potato slices or grated potatoes. Grated Potato can cover the affected area much better that the sliced potato depending on which part of the body has minor burns. Potato will give soothing effect and stop getting skin blisters.
- Grate a potato and apply it on the affected area. Keep it there for 5 -10 minutes. or
- Make thin slices of potato and apply them on the affected area. Thin slices can easily cover the contours of the skin as most of skin on the limbs is not flat.
4. Vinegar Diluted for Better Burn Soothing Effect
Vinegar is also an antiseptic and astringent. It prevents infection. You will need to dilute vinegar for more soothing effect.
Add an equal amount of water to vinegar and apply a thin layer of the solution on the burns. Let it dry and leave it there. Repeat the process 3-4 times a day for better results.
5. Teabags to Heal Burns Fast
Tannin in the black tea is an excellent cooling agent for the burns. You can apply tea bags in the following two different ways.
Dip two three tea bags in cold water. Keep it in the water for 30-40 seconds. Squeeze the tea bags to drain excess water. Apply these wet tea bags directly on the affected area. Wrap them with a gauze and change it after 4 hours by alternatively leaving the area exposed for 4 hours and 4 hours of tea bag wrap twice a day.
Or dip a tea bag in cold water cup for longer periods. Let the color of the water becomes dark with tea. Squeeze the tea bags and remove them from the water and throw. Soak cotton balls with the tea and apply on the affected area of the minor burns.
If you have already used one or more of the above natural ingredients as immediate first aid for burns, then now have more options to use at you leisure. The emergency is over; your burn is at least a couple of hours old now, so go for the following for pain relief and faster burn healing.
6. Aloe Vera for Burn Pain Relief and Tissue Repairs
Aloe Vera is the best natural gel which soothes and heals minor burns. In fact if you can get access to fresh Aloe Vera fillets then it is perfect, otherwise commercially available Aloe Vera will do the job. It soothes and heals the burns faster. Fresh Aloe gel can even heal more serious burns also.
It cools the burning sensations that linger on even after actual burning time. The active ingredients in Aloe will not allow blisters to appear and will heal the skin tissues without leaving scars.