Superficial skin burns can be treated at home, however skin burns that run deep into the skin must be treated at once by a medical expert. In the event of burns, here are some steps to ensure quick relief before expert medical help arrives:
1. Use Milk: Milk is believed to be a very good compress for treating minor burns. Simply soaking the affected skin area in cold whole milk for approximately 20 minutes is highly effective in bringing about instant relief. A topical application of a milk-drenched flannel or cloth to the skin is extremely efficient in healing the skin. Experts believe that the fat content in whole milk is useful in consoling a minor burn and brings about faster healing. Once relief is obtained, the skin must be rinsed with cool water to get rid of any milk residue and odor on the skin.
2. Cleanse The Area: Washing the affected skin area with clean cool water and soap after 24 hours of the burn helps in healing the wound faster and maintaining hygiene levels in the area. The burn area must be kept dry and fresh while being concealed with a light clean dressing made from thick gauze bandage.
3. Use Cool And Not Cold Water To Rinse The Burn: Although it’s an instinctive reaction to reach out for cold water to calm down a minor burn, cold water or ice cubes may actually cause more damage as extreme cold has the potential of destroying skin cells just as extreme heat does. On the other hand, cool water helps in relieving the burning sensation from diffusing through the inner skin tissues acts as a short-term analgesic.
4. Aloe Vera For Burns: Aloe vera is believed to heal the burn by approximately 40 percent as its cooling gel and natural juices contains natural healing components. Opening a fresh aloe leaf and smearing the natural gel on the burn directly helps in relieving the painful burning sensation. Aloe vera must be applied on the wound four to five times a day, preferably without a bandage dressing.
5. Essential Vitamins For Burns: Vitamins C, A, and E are well known in aiding and speeding the natural process of healing after a minor burn. Having plenty of vitamin C assists in the healing process for burns, so make it a point to consume a good quantity of citrus fruits, root vegetables and broccoli. Most whole grain cereals, nuts and seeds are rich in vitamin E. Moreover, one can also apply a crushed vitamin E capsule directly on the burn. As a matter of fact, most people receive faster healing by massaging the extracts from a vitamin E capsule on the skin burn to prevent scarring.
