What to Put on a Burn
It's not uncommon to get a burn now and then. Whether you're cooking something over high heat or getting your hand caught in a woodchipper, accidents happen. Most first degree burns are harmless and can be treated at home using over-the-counter medications and topical creams. However, if the skin around your injury is moist or exposed to liquids, it could become infected. A burn should also be taken seriously because it can cause extensive damage to the epidermis, dermis, and sweat glands of the skin. Here’s what you need to keep in mind when dealing with a burn:
Drop the temperature immediately
Heat is the enemy of burns. You need to cool the burn immediately to prevent further damage. You can do this by draping a towel loosely over the burn, and then sponge the area with cold water. You can also pour cold water on the burn from a mister.
Apply petroleum jelly two to three times daily
Petroleum jelly is a great healing substance. It’s a good moisturizer that also serves as a protective layer. Apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly to the burn twice a day. You can also put petroleum jelly on a burn to lessen the pain. You can also use petroleum jelly to make a burn feel less hot. This can be especially helpful if you’re trying to cool an injury. Petroleum jelly may come in a tube or an applicator. If you have a tube, use the amount recommended on the label. If you have an applicator, apply the product just like you would with a tube.
Cover the burn with a nonstick, sterile bandage
Protect the burn from germs and liquids by covering it with a non-stick sterile bandage. This keeps the area clean, as well as applying a thin layer of healing substance. Sterile bandages come in a variety of sizes to cover a variety of areas of the body. You can choose a style made out of gauze or a nonstick, sterile waterproof wrap. If you don’t have a nonstick, sterile bandage on hand, don’t use anything else. You want to make sure that the wound is completely covered with a layer of sterile material. Anything less may allow germs or bacteria to invade the site. You can even put a sterile bandage over a burn every hour or so while you’re caring for it. You just want to make sure that your burn is covered with a layer of material at all times.
Consider taking over-the-counter pain medication
If the pain is severe enough, it can make it difficult to do normal daily activities. Take pain medications only if necessary to control the pain. If possible, let your doctor know you’re taking pain medication, so he or she can monitor you for side effects and make adjustments as needed. Take pain medication only at the discretion of your doctor. As with any medication, you need to weigh the potential side effects against the discomfort you’re experiencing. If you can manage the pain without medication, don’t take it just to follow a doctor’s orders. The most common over-the-counter painkillers are ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and acetaminophen (Tylenol).
Protect the area from the sun
Once the burns heal, the next step is to minimize scarring. You can protect the area by applying a broad-spectrum water-resistant sunscreen that contains an SPF that is equal to or higher than 30. You can also wear protective clothing or seek an area that is shaded. Redness from a burn can go on for weeks, by protecting the area from the sun you help reduce scarring.
If you’re treating a burn outside, be aware of the time. If you’re treating a burn that is around 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., be especially careful. You’re also more likely to make your burn worse if you have a genetic predisposition to sunburns, have sunburned before, have had skin cancer, or have suffered a significant decrease in blood pressure. If you are in this situation, don’t try to speed up the healing process by exposing your burn to the sun. You’ll only make the burn worse.
Conclusion
First degree burns are usually something you can treat by yourself. These tips should make that process that much easier. However, see a doctor if the burn is large and if the burn victim is an elderly person or an infant. If it is neither of those but the burn seems severe, make your way to the emergency room immediately.
FAQs
Is vaseline good for burns?
Vaseline has been used for centuries as a healing substance. In fact, the name “Vaseline” comes from a combination of the words “vase” and “lotion.” Vaseline is a petroleum-based substance that has been around for hundreds of years. It is used as a soothing application for minor cuts, scrapes, and burns. It is also commonly used to treat chapped lips. Although Vaseline is a petroleum-based product, it contains petroleum jelly, which has many of the same properties as lotion. If you have a cut or burn on your hands, you can use Vaseline to help heal the wound.
Can I put Neosporin on a burn?
The majority of Neosporin is made up of water and an antibacterial/antimicrobial agent. However, Neosporin also contains a healing ointment that can be used to treat burns. You can use Neosporin on minor burns, cuts, scrapes, and cracked skin. Neosporin can be used as a burn treatment and is also effective for treating plantar warts, ringworm, and athlete's foot.
How do you stop a burn from throbbing?
Move the injured area very gently to prevent further injury. You can also apply ice packs wrapped in a towel to the affected area. You can also use a heating pad to help slow down the healing process and reduce swelling. Heating pads come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from small travel-sized devices to large, stand-alone units. Heating pads come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and power levels to provide gentle warmth. Heating pads come in a variety of sizes and shapes, from small travel-sized devices to large, stand-alone units. Heating pads come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and power levels to provide gentle warmth.
Can I put honey on a burn?
You can use honey to soothe a burn. Honey has been used as a topical treatment for burns since the 17th century. It is often used in combination with other herbs to treat wounds. Honey has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce pain, speed up the healing process, and improve the appearance of your burn. It’s also a natural moisturizer.
Is toothpaste good for burns?
Toothpaste is a common go-to burn treatment. It’s a good idea to keep a tube of toothpaste in your first aid kit. You can use toothpaste to soothe a burn. Toothpaste has antibacterial properties that can help prevent bacterial growth in a burn. It can also help to moisturize the skin and relieve pain. It’s important to note that toothpaste does have some side effects. Toothpaste could aggravate the burn and make for a more favorable environment for infection. Plus, it isn’t sterile.
Is tomato good for a burn?
Yes, putting tomatoes on your burn is a good idea. Put thin slices on the affected area after you must have run the spot under cool water. Lycopene, which naturally occurs in tomatoes, helps soothe burn pains, prevents blisters, reduces inflammation and promotes healing.
Should I use oils on my burn?
There is a common misconception that coconut oil heals everything. That's not the case with burns. Oils such as coconut oils, cooking oil, and olive oils are not good for burns. This is because they hold heat in and can cause the skin to continue burning.
Lavender oil on the other hand is known to have healing properties that can facilitate the healing process of your burn. But there isn't much evidence published to that effect. Instead of using oils, use one of the verified and approved methods.