What Helps Against Burns? The Best Home Remedies

Help against burns: determine the degree of burns

There are three grades that differentiate the severity of burns.

• First-degree burn: your skin turns red. You’ll see a little swelling and feel some pain. There are no burn blisters. After healing, no scars remain.
• 2nd degree burns: Blisters appear on the skin and the pain is worse. Skin color ranges from white to red. Scars can form as the wound heals.
• Third-degree burns: Particularly large, thick burn blisters can be seen. The skin has a white, leathery appearance. By destroying the nerve endings, you will not feel any pain.

Proper use of home remedies for burns

Third-degree burns always belong in the professional hands of a doctor. You can treat second-degree burns yourself if the affected area is smaller than the palm of your hand and the wound is not open. First-degree burns can even be relieved with home remedies.

• Always treat the burn injury with lukewarm water. As a result, so-called heat shock proteins are formed. These protect the proteins in the skin and muscle cells from damage. However, according to the latest findings, ice or ice water can make your injury worse.
• Let the water run over the wound for 10 to 15 minutes. Alternatively, take a damp, clean cloth and place it on the injury.
• Then use a special burn ointment or aloe vera gel. However, please note: These funds may only be used on closed wounds.
• The injury heals best when the skin can breathe. Therefore, avoid a bandage as much as possible.
• Never use household products such as flour or powder. This prevents your skin from giving off heat and cooling down. You may even make the burn worse by directing the heat inwards and further damaging the tissue.
• You should not pierce burn blisters, as an infection can quickly develop here. First, use a pad with a silver coating and then wrap the area loosely with a gauze bandage. Silver has an antiseptic effect and helps in healing.
• If the burn blister becomes inflamed, the liquid changes color, or if the blister has not healed after 14 days, consult your family doctor.