Burns

Burns Causes

When damage to the skin and exposed mucosa surfaces (such as the gullet or airways) are caused by intense heat, boiling water or strong chemicals – we describe this as a burn. While burns are a type of traumatic physical injury caused by thermal, electrical, chemical, or electromagnetic energy, scalds are the damage caused by contact with hot fluids. Both infants and the elderly are at the greatest risk for burn injury. When a burn occurs there may be obvious and immediate damage to the skin, which can cause much pain.

Burms Symptoms

First-Degree Burns

1. Red skin
2. Mild pain
3. Minor Swelling

Second-Degree Burns

1. Swelling
2. Blisters
3. Peeling of the skin
4. Severe pain
5. Wet-looking area, with bright pink to cherry red color

Third-Degree Burns (All Layers)

1. Very severe pain
2. Charred skin
3. Numbness

General Household Tips

An open flame is the leading cause of burn injury for adults, while scalding is the leading cause of burn injury for children. Here are some tips:

1. Prevent burns from happening by making your home safe
2. Install smoke detectors, never leave a cigarette or candle unattended
3. Check electrical wiring and switch open plugs off at the wall
4. Remove chemicals and store cleaning materials out of reach of children
5. Watch out for scalding dangers – cups of hot tea, pans on the stove, kettles and hot baths – all especially risky for energetic toddlers who tend to ‘explore’ the house.
6. DON’T use butter or lard – this is an old wives tale, and may just ‘cook’ the burn! (rather used cold water, or a cool compress, or seek medical advice)

General anti-burn tips for child safety

1. Never leave a child unattended in the bathtub, even for a few seconds. Don't entrust an older child to watch a toddler.
2. If you have to answer the door or the telephone, take the child with you!
3. Always test the water in the bathtub yourself before immersing your child. A child's sensitive skin can burn easily from water that's too hot.
4. Keep all electrical appliances such as radios, hair dryers, curling irons far away from the bath tub.

Tips to address scarring

1. Wear a pressure garment around the burn.
2. Wear a splint to prevent a contracture (a serious complication of burn scarring that can restrict movement and stop the circulation of blood flow, leading to death of tissue).
3. Perform exercises recommended by a physical therapist that promote a wide range of motion.
4. If scarring affects a child - encourage him or her to be active and to do things independently. Daily activities will help keep the scar area stretched and prevent complications.

Burns Home Remedies

1. putting cold water immediate on the burned area till the burning sensation reduces helps in reducing the effect of burn and prevents formation of blisters. Keep drinking water, milk, curd etc..
2. Applying Honey regularly on the burning helps to rescue Burning and heals faster and also removes burning scars.
3. Harad (Hartiki) powder mixed with Honey can be applied on the burns reduces burning and helps faster
4. Raw potato or potato pate applied on the burns helps to reducing burning and heals faster.
5. Turmeric paste applied on the burned wounds reduces burning and hels faster.
6. Applying Ghee on the burns helps to reducing burning and heals faster.
7. Mango leaves burnt and its ashes sprinkled on the burns heals fasters.
8. Mustard oil (Sarson ka teil) applied on the burns helps to avoid blisters.
9. Aloe Vera (Gwar patha) juice applied regularly on the burns hleps to reduces burning, faster healing and removing scars.
10. Sesame seeds (Til) grinder sand applied as a thick paste on the burns heals faster and reduces burning.
11. Applying thick paste of sugar on the burning helps to reduces burning.
12. Banana pulp applied on the burns helps to reduce burning sensation.
13. Carrot grinded and its paste applied on the burns hleps to reduces burning sensation.
14. Applying thick paste of Fenugreek seeds (Menthi) on the burns helps to reduce burning and prevents blister formation.
15. Applying Glycerin on the burns reduces burning.
16. Neem water heals the burn injuries, and there by protects them from infecting further.
17. Mix tamarind leaves with gingili oil and apply it all over the burns part.Application of this oil keeps the wound way from the moisture and germs.
18. Neem water is very effective when used to treat injuries caused due to burns. It heals up skin fast and prevents the creation of any kind of an allergy or infection.

Burns FAQ's

1. What are child safety tips for Burns ?
2. What are the symptoms of Burns ?

Burns Articles