Thursday, November 27, 2008

Six Ways to Treat Burns

Burns can be caused by a number of things: overexposure to the sun, too much excitement in sipping soup or a hot drink, chemical spill, and exposure to fire. Due to the number of causes, it can also be expected that burns and accidents involving burns can occur often. If you are worried about being burned or at least would like to be prepared in case you find yourself or someone in a situation where help in dealing with burns is needed, read on for tips on giving burn pain relief:

1.Remove saturated clothing in case of chemical burns.

If the burn is caused by a caustic chemical, remove items of clothing from the victim that has come to contact the chemical. Not doing so can cause the chemical to spread to other parts of the body and increase the damage.

2.Soak affected areas in cold water.

Although most people think that using an ice compress immediately on the burned surface is more practical, its extremely low temperature can further irritate the damaged skin. Instead, soak the affected area in cold water to provide gradual and temporary relief from the stinging and stop the burn from spreading.

3.Apply lavender oil to the burn.

Although it is more popular for its use in aromatherapy and as first aid for insect bites, lavender oil can also soothe burned skin. Slather on generous amounts of lavender oil on the burned surface to relieve the stinging and protect the exposed inner layer of the skin from infection.

4.Use aloe vera gel to soothe burned skin.

If you are outdoors and suffering from sunburn, you can use aloe vera gel to soothe the affected areas. Break off the stalk from an aloe vera plant and split it in half to get the gel inside. Apply this gel on the burned skin to cool it and soothe the stinging. In addition to this comforting coolness, aloe vera gel stimulates blood flow and proper circulation on the burn area which promotes cell renewal and speeds up healing.

5.Place cold tea bags on the burn for a comforting compress.

Black and green teas are known for their antioxidants but, they are also good for cooling sunburns. Just dip a tea bag in cold water and place it on the burn for a cooling fix. Aside from providing relief, the antioxidants in the teas help in fighting off infections.

6.Mix a vinegar solution and splash onto sunburned areas.

For sunburns, a vinegar solution is another handy homemade remedy. Mix equal parts of vinegar and cold water to create a solution. Splash or bathe the sunburned skin with this solution to cool it and prevent infection. Although any kind of vinegar may be used, apple cider vinegar is deemed best.

Burns can be painful and cause unsightly scarring if not treated properly. If the burns cover a large area and are causing you or the afflicted person severe pain, medical help should be immediately called to attention. It is also imperative to ask your doctor about techniques to reduce the scarring and care for the wound during recovery.


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Kristine Anne Gonzaga is a content writer and researcher who specializes in health topics and health-related issues. She delights in finding tips and ideas on simple and practical healthcare and sharing them through her writing.

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