We encounter burns at least once in our lives. This may be minor incidents such as a burn, a small splash of oil or spilling our tea on us, or it may be more serious. Depending on the degree of the burn, you can treat it with natural solutions at home. But for severe burns, you should definitely go to the doctor. Although a burn is minor and not very serious, it can be very uncomfortable. Especially if it is in a place that you use frequently, such as your hands and fingers.
What Are the Degrees and Types of Burns?
A burn is a type of injury to the flesh or skin caused by heat, electricity, chemicals, friction or radiation. Depending on the degree of the burn, the healing time and treatment of the wound are different. The degree of burn varies according to the layers of the skin. There are different reasons for the formation of a burn. These are thermal burns, electrical burns, chemical burns, sunburn and radiation.
Burn degrees are as follows:
First degree burns: In this type of burn, only the upper layer is affected and it can be treated at home. It appears only as a rash on the skin.
Second-degree burns: This is when the burn passes into the lower layers and the blood vessels and covering tissue are damaged. Even if medical help is required, this burn, in which water bubbles form, can be treated at home.
Third-degree burns: In these burns, the wound penetrates all layers of the skin. A white color occurs on the skin and causes severe pain. This type of burns should be done by a specialist.
Fourth degree burns: It is the situation where the burn affects deep tissues up to the muscle or bone tissue.
Burn Treatment
It depends on the degree of treatment required for the burn. While treatment with simple painkillers is possible in first and second degree burns, long-term treatment is required in special burn centers in third and fourth degree burns. In case of burns, keeping water helps to relieve the pain, but it should not be exposed to cold for a long time. The temperature of the water used to cool the burns should be between 10-25 degrees. Ice water should never be used. Minor burns may need to be cleaned and wrapped with soap and water. Regarding the places where water collects, the advice of the experts is definitely not to be exploded and not to be touched.
Severe burns may require skin transplantation. Intravenous fluid is needed because water is lost after inflammation and edema in the body in large-scale burns. Infections in wounds associated with burns can cause serious complications.
First Interventions for Boiling Water Burns
The most common burns are those usually caused by hot water. Only apply the items listed below on superficial burns, which we call 1st and 2nd degree. If there is a severe burn, do not intervene and go to the nearest health institution. In such cases, it is recommended to wrap it with a clean sheet. Again, it is recommended not to wrap the first degree wounds, which we call superficial burns.
Potatoes
If a minor skin burn has occurred, the potato has a therapeutic feature for these burns. Squeeze the grated potato juice and leave it on the small burned area for 15 minutes.
coconut oil
Another effective method for minor burns is coconut oil. Contains vitamin E, lauric acid and caprylic acid, which quickly treats the burned area.
apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has anti-infection and antiseptic properties. In this way, it plays an important role in the treatment of minor burns. Dress the burned area with apple cider vinegar. Repeat this dressing hourly.
Tea
A mixture of cold water and tea can be used for first degree burns. Soak the black tea bag in cold water for a few minutes. Afterwards, you can hold it for a while without pressing too hard on the burned area.
Egg whites
Relieves post-burn pain. Since it dries very quickly, it must be constantly refreshed. In addition to its pain relief effect, it also prevents scarring in the burn area.
What Foods Are Good For Burns?
Small interventions for burns that you can apply at home can help you get over the disease in a shorter time. In addition, the foods that the patient will consume in his diet are also important in terms of faster recovery of the burn and preventing infection. So what are the foods that are good for burns? The foods used in the treatment of burns in alternative medicine and with positive results are as follows:
1. Foods high in antioxidants
As a result of the researches, it has been observed that the regular consumption of foods with high antioxidant content accelerates the healing process of burns. Examples of such foods are peppers, tomatoes, zucchini, cherries and blueberries.
2. Turmeric
The first thing to consider in burn wounds is to prevent inflammation. Turmeric, which can help in this regard, has anti-inflammatory properties. At the same time, turmeric, which also has pain-relieving properties, is added to warm milk in powder form, and its consumption reduces burn pain and helps to reduce inflammation.
3. Honey
A panacea, honey has been used for centuries to heal wounds. With this feature, honey can also be used by applying it on the wound in 1st and 2nd degree burns. At the same time, regular consumption of honey has a protective effect against infections.
4. Narcissus Grass
Narcissus is extremely effective in the treatment of burn wounds, as it helps regenerate the skin. Regular application of calendula to the burned area will help the wounds heal.
5. Salt
This substance may surprise you, because the wound and salt can have an adverse effect on you. But you can treat burns in the mouth by gargling with salt. For burns that occur in the mouth after a hot meal or drink, salt water gargle made every two hours during the day is effective in relieving pain and relieving pain.
6. Aloe vera
Aloe vera has two properties necessary for burns: anti-inflammatory and tissue healing properties. Therefore, aloe vera helps the skin to heal. What you need to do is apply the gel obtained from aloe vera leaves on the burn and wait for it to absorb. Of course, some research on aloe vera has found that it is not as effective as silver sulfadiazine.
7. Fish and Fish Oil
Omega 3 fatty acids, which reduce the risk of edema due to burns, also strengthen the immune system. And these fatty acids are abundant in fish and fish oil. Consumption of cold sea fish, especially salmon and mackerel, accelerates the healing of burn wounds.
8. Vitamin C
Vitamin C provides regeneration of the skin and gives elasticity to the skin. Therefore, vitamin C is effective in the healing of burn wounds. The recommended dose for this is 1000 milligrams of vitamin C 2-6 times a day. Consumption of foods containing this vitamin will both be healthier and help your wounds heal.
9. Vitamin E
Another important vitamin for the skin is vitamin E. Vitamin E, which provides skin regeneration, 400-800 IU of vitamin E and foods rich in vitamin E should be consumed daily for the healing of burn wounds. Consult your doctor before using this vitamin in cases of surgery.
10. Vinegar
Vinegar, which has antiseptic properties, is a good alternative to prevent burn wounds from becoming infected. At the same time, vinegar relieves pain by drawing the heat from the burn. For burns, it will be sufficient to put a napkin or cotton soaked in cold vinegar to the burn area.
11. Onion
Onion helps you stay away from diseases and infections with its antibiotic, antiseptic, antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. For this reason, onions help heal wounds in the treatment of burns. Applying the squeezed juice of a cut onion to the burned area will be good for the burn.
12. Other nutrients
Some other foods that are good for burns are applying vinegar to the burned area, applying aloe vera extract to the burns, applying tea tree oil diluted with water to the affected area, and applying plantain leaves, papaya fruit and lavender oil on the burn wound.