Depending upon the severity, burns can be divided into three categories – first degree burns, second degree burns and third degree burns.
A third degree burn is a very serious condition and immediate medical attention is crucial. Emergency help is essential in such cases. The following home remedies should be used in cases of first and second degree burns only.
How To Treat Burns Naturally
1. Apply Cold Water
Applying cold water on the burnt spot is the most important part of first-aid. The purpose is to cool the burns down. Though ice water or ice might look like a better alternative, the fact is that they can make the condition worse. So, you are advised to use cold running water only. Put the burnt area under cold running water for up to half an hour. This step is crucial. Now the remedies you use will heal the burns much faster and more effectively.
2. Honey
After cleaning the burnt spot with cold running water, coat it with honey. Honey contains powerful natural elements that can heal burns very fast. The best thing about using honey as a home remedy for burns is that it reduces pain very fast. In addition to that, it also diminishes the scars.
3. Cold Whole Milk
Get two pieces of clean non-fluffy cloth. Soak them in cold whole milk. Put one piece on the affected spot and let it be there for at least fifteen minutes. After that, remove the cloth and wash it thoroughly with cold water. Meanwhile put another piece of cloth soaked in cold whole milk on the burnt area. After 15 minutes, replace it with the first piece of cloth again soaked in cold whole milk. Keep repeating this process for around an hour. This is a very effective home remedy for burns.
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4. Tomatoes Or Grated Potatoes
Tomatoes and grated potatoes contain acids that minimize the chances of having blisters caused by burns. Also, putting a slice of grated potato or a tomato on the burn wounds takes away the pain very quickly.
5. Toothpaste
Toothpaste is another proven home remedy to treat burns. As part of this remedy, you just have to apply a generous amount of toothpaste on the burn.
This toothpaste coating will prevent blistering. The pain will also be subdued quickly. For best results, keep the coating there continuously for around twenty-four hours. Do not use gel toothpastes.
6. Soy Sauce
Soy sauce is another natural first-aid for minor burns that works very effectively. Coat the burnt area with generous amounts of soy sauce and leave the coating on for around half an hour. This home remedy prevents your skin from blistering and also eases pain.
7. Onion Juice
Onion juice is also a very popular home remedy for burns. It is particularly more popular among professional kitchen staff chefs. They face minor burns more frequently and use onion juice as a quick remedy. You just have to squeeze the juice from a half piece of onion on the burnt areas.
The coating of onion juice on burns minimizes the chance of blistering and also relieves pain. For best results, you are advised to use a freshly cut onion immediately on the burns. When you cut an onion and leave it for a few minutes exposed to air, it loses its soothing properties.
8. Egg White
Egg white is probably the most powerful home remedy for burns because it heals the burns, prevents your skin from blistering and also relieves you from pain. Apply a coating of egg white on the burnt spot.
The pain will go away quickly. You will not feel any pain as long as the coating is wet, but it might return when the coating dries up. Keep reapplying the coating of fresh egg white. Doing it repeatedly will heal the burns.
9. Lavender Oil
Lavender oil also minimizes the chances of scarring and blistering. It promotes faster healing. Also, it contains powerful painkilling properties. After washing and cleaning the burnt areas with cold running water, dry it with a soft cloth and then apply lavender oil directly on the affected areas.
Alternatively, you can also use a clean piece of cloth soaked in lavender oil and put it on the burns. Remove this cloth after an hour and replace it with a fresh cloth soaked in lavender oil. Repeat this process for at least 3-4 times.
10. Black Tea Bag
Tea bags can also be used as a very effective treatment, especially for minor or first-degree burns. Black tea contains tannic acid that eases pain and also promotes faster healing of burns. Place tea bags soaked in cold water gently over the burnt area.
11. Aloe Vera
Fresh aloe Vera juice can also be applied after cleaning the wound with cold running water. Aloe Vera contains tissue-healing, astringent and painkilling properties that can be very beneficial in treating minor, first-degree burns.
However, there is a word of caution for those who have a medical history for heart problems. Such people should avoid this remedy for burns.
12. Diluted Vinegar
The coating of diluted vinegar on the burnt area relaxes your skin, prevents it from blistering and also reduces pain. Instead of putting diluted vinegar directly over the wound, you are advised to use a clean piece of cloth soaked in vinegar.
It will reduce the pain quickly, but the pain might return after some time. Then, you should replace it with another piece of cloth soaked in diluted vinegar. Keep repeating the process until the pain goes away completely.
13. Yogurt
When it comes to treating burns, yogurt can also be a wonderful home remedy. When generous amounts of yogurt are applied on the burnt areas, you get quick relief from pain. Keep the application on for at least fifteen minutes.
After that, you can rinse it off. Overall, there are plenty of home remedies to treat first and second degree burns, but again, for very serious third degree burns, you must seek emergency medical help.
14. Papaya Pulp
Applying papaya pulp on the burns can also prove to be very effective. Papaya pulps contain pain-killing enzymes that also promote quicker healing of burns. The best thing is that it can even remove dead cells also.
