Minor burns, although small, have the potential to turn into something big and induce severe pain. These burns occur mainly in the kitchen where someone might have accidentally touched the rod inside the oven, accidents while using oil heater while firing up the stove, getting in touch with a matchstick, and many other situations as well.
We often resort to using cold water and applying lotion to soothe the burn. Although an effective remedy, it may not completely heal the burn. Various home remedies exist to heal and soothe burns. However, the remedy depends on the nature of the burn and how it was acquired. Knowing the exact reason is important in order to apply the best cure. If left untreated, the wound turns into a severe problem and may pose a serious threat, especially in summer. Providing immediate and effective treatment is necessary for a burn. Not attending to the burn will lead to the following problems:
- The burn will induce severe pain, turning the skin red
- Improper treatment will cause the skin to turn black. It is especially bad for a girl who wishes to wear a sleeveless dress if the burn occurred on her hand or arm
- The burned region becomes itchy
- If the burn is due to hot or boiling water, blisters will form on the surface
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Avoiding the above problems and other complications is possible by treating a burn immediately with home remedies that are effective, soothe the skin, and heal the problem. Below, we give you twelve effective home remedies for burns that are minor.
1. Honey
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Honey is used as a natural remedy for a number of health issues and skin problems. For a small burn, applying a teaspoon of honey helps the skin to alleviate the pain by stopping the burning and itching sensation. The antiseptic properties of honey will prevent the region from accumulating germs because the skin becomes especially sensitive during a burn. Look for raw honey, as it has more healing powers than the processed versions that are available at a supermarket.
2. Vinegar
Vinegar is a common ingredient found in the kitchen. You can now use the solution to heal a minor burn quickly. Vinegar has healing power and has the capability to provide quick relief to the burn.
Pour some vinegar in a bowl and add some water to prepare a diluted solution. If you have cotton balls readily available, you can use them. Otherwise, make one using soft, clean, and fresh cotton. Now dip the cotton ball in the diluted vinegar solution and apply the solution gently on the burned region. Repeat the process with a new cotton ball.
3. Lemon and coconut oil
Lemon and coconut oil are natural ingredients that are used to treat several skin allergies and produce a soothing effect. The antibacterial properties found in coconut and lemon act against bacteria and prevent infections from forming. You can apply the solution even after curing a minor burn if it caused discoloration. Follow the treatment outlined below to cure a minor burn.
Put some coconut oil in a bowl and make sure that the oil is pure. Now, squeeze a lemon into the bowl and mix the two thoroughly. Use a soft, clean, and fresh cotton ball to dip into the solution and apply it on the affected area. The antibacterial properties will cure the burn immediately and help in soothing and heal the skin at a faster rate.
4. Toothpaste
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Not only does toothpaste help protect your teeth but also functions as a medical ointment in certain situations. Yes, you heard right! Toothpaste is an effective solution for a minor burn. Toothpaste contains many natural ingredients, which makes it one of the most effective home remedies for burns.
If you are using herbal toothpaste, then you can be sure that it has MINT, which contains significant soothing and healing properties. Regular application of toothpaste on a burn also helps prevent skin inflammation. It will support natural skin regeneration and also ease the pain immediately.
5. Salty water
Minor burns can occur on any part of the body. For example, consuming hot and spicy food or drinking something hot can burn the tongue, killing all the taste buds. In such cases, the following method is very helpful. The preparation of the mixture uses commonly found materials in the kitchen. Furthermore, it requires only a few minutes to prepare the solution.
Pour approximately 8 ounces of water in a cup. Drop half a teaspoon of salt in the cup and shake well to dissolve the salt completely. Rinse your mouth with the salty water. Repeat the process as needed to keep your burned tongue safe from infections and irritation.
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6. Milk
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You can treat a minor burn with milk. Milk is not only a protein-rich consumable, but also helps lighten burned skin. It also helps promote the body’s natural healing power. The cream and the fat content found in milk act as moisturizers, keeping your skin hydrated. It especially works on the burned area. You can use milk in the following way:
Pour milk into a bowl. If you have access to goat’s milk, then it will be an added advantage because it has more natural elements than cow’s milk. Apply milk on the affected area and leave it on for at least 15 minutes. You can even use yogurt as it is a derivative of milk and has cooling powers.
7. Baking soda
Using baking soda to cure a minor burn is an effective treatment. The bicarbonate content acts as an anti-inflammatory agent, preventing burning and itching sensations from occurring. Follow the steps below to apply it effectively.
Prepare a spray bottle and clean it thoroughly, ensuring that it has no impurities. Pour regular water in the spray bottle. Then add a quarter cup of baking soda and shake well to dissolve the baking soda in the water. Sprinkle the solution around the affected area or the minor burn. The solution will prevent infections from forming and will help ease any pain.
8. Oats
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Oats have natural healing powers. Applying it is useful when your skin is irritated and feeling especially itchy. Oats have the power to reduce irritation and soothe the skin. Follow the procedure below to cure a minor burn:
Pour water in a bowl and add a teaspoon of oats in it to make a mixture by boiling it over a low flame on the stove. Allow it to cool down. Then apply the mixture to the affected area. Keep the affected skin open so that it receives fresh air and the mixture becomes dry. Remove the dried layer of oats from the applied area after fifteen minutes. Repeat the process if necessary.
9. Onion
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Onions are a rich source of antibacterial properties. They can effectively treat a minor burn. People have long used onion for treating injuries and minor burns at home. Apart from alleviating pain, they also protect the skin from discoloration. To cure a minor burn, do the following:
Peel the onion to remove the skin. Cut the rest of the onion into a square shape or long slices, depending on the burned area, and place it on your skin. Keep it there for about ten minutes and then rinse off the affected area. Apart from using onion, you can also use banana peels in a similar manner to heal, soothe, and cure a minor burn.
10. Mustard
Mustard is a proven home remedy for injuries and burns. It works best as a medical treatment in a scenario where obtaining quick medical assistance is impossible. Using mustard is the simplest way to prevent a burn from turning into a serious problem. The good thing is that it is readily available in the kitchen, or you could buy it from a nearby store. The procedure to cure a minor burn is:
Try to keep the yellow mustard in a cool place. Gently apply the paste on the affected area. Make sure that the application does not disturb the skin, since after a burn, skin becomes soft, thin, and delicate. Cover the burned area with a thin piece of cotton or bandage. Leave the bandage on for a few hours.
11. Raw potato
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Another wonderful remedy for curing and healing a minor burn is by using a raw potato. Wedge the potato and put it on the injured area. Ensure that the juice from the potato is covering the burned region. The juice prevents the development of blisters and eases the pain. You can also use the slices for all other regular burns as well.
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12. Egg white
Egg white helps control the itching and burning sensations. Egg white creates a cooling and soothing effect on your skin. Additionally, covering the affected area with the egg white prevents the movement of air onto the burned area, which further reduces the pain and inflammation.
Anybody can burn themselves at any time, most likely in the kitchen. If the affected area is small and it’s a minor burn, then these home remedies for burns will be effective in treating them.
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