Minor burns treatment

Burns are defined as an injury to the skin or other tissue caused by heat (thermal, friction, chemical etc.).

Symptoms: red skin, pain, swelling, peeling skin, and fluid-filled blisters.

Burns are classified into the following categories:

1^st degree = Top layer of skin involved (epidermis) which becomes red and painful. E.g. Mild sunburn

2^nd degree = Top 2 layers of skin (epidermis and dermis) are involved. Skin is red, painful, swollen and blistered. E.g. Severe sunburn

3^rd degree = All 3 layers of skin (epidermis, dermis and fat) are involved. Nerve endings are destroyed so no pain is felt at the site of the burn but is felt around the area. Skin can be white/black and charred/ or red with a leathery appearance. Hospital treatment is needed for these types of burns.

About 250,000 burns have been recorded each year in the UK, but this is not counting those managed at home.

 

What are examples of common minor burns?

• Burnt fingers/ hand / forearms from cooking or taking things out of the oven
• Burnt tongue/ tastebuds from drinking a hot beverage
• Scald from steam produced by the kettle or car radiator
• Candles, matches, incense sticks
• Fireworks and bonfires

 

How to treat minor burns:

1. Run the area under cold running water for 10mins. This will vastly reduce the pain and take away the heat of the burn.
2. If there is no blister, take Cantharis or Causticum homeopathic remedies to start to heal the burn and take away the pain.
3. If there is a blister present, use Rhus tox or Urtica homeopathic remedies.
4. If the area is swollen, stinging and oedematous, then use Apis homeopathic remedy.
5. You can apply Duoderm extra-thin alginate dressing to the area leaving a 2cm border around the burn. Stick this gently down directly on to the wound. Leave in place for at least 1 week. It is waterproof. The burn will go slightly white under the dressing. After 1 week, gently pull/stretch the edge of the dressing and it will ‘ping’ back on itself. Do this until the whole dressing detaches easily. DO NOT rip it off! Duoderm dressing results in less scarring.
6. Burns need to be kept warm and moist, hence Duoderm is brilliant for this. Increasing your fluids and Vit C will also aid healing.

NEVER:

• burst a blister (it contains good fluid sent by the body to heal it, and it is a sterile environment)
• continue to sunbathe if you have sunburn already
• pick at the burn or peeling skin

 

Burn Prevention:

1. Always wear thick oven gloves with grip when handling hot pots or utensils in the kitchen.
2. Keep hot liquids such as tea/coffee away from the edge of countertops and tables so young children are not tempted to pull them off.
3. Take extra care generally with young children and toddlers as they tend to make a beeline for the most dangerous thing in a room!

 

As always homeopathy is here to help so if you need any help from me for burns, please do get in touch.