BURNS

 

Each and every one must have felt the pain of a burn at least once in their life. Depending upon the severity of burns they are categorized in to three categories namely first degree burns, second degree burns and third degree burns. Burns are treated depending upon the category of the burn and the cause.

Symptoms of first degree, second degree and third degree burns

Burn symptoms depend upon its severity. A mild burn of first degree will only cause red skin and a mild pain. It takes about three to six days to heal.
Second-degree burns may cause swelling, blisters and peel the skin.
Third-degree burns are very severe; they may cause white or black charred skin. As they damage the nerves there may be no pain initially. They damage the skin layers beneath the top layer.

Burns are caused not just by touching hot objects or fire, it can be caused by many other things

The word is often used to caution small children from hot things. The very first thing that the word “burn” brings to our mind is touching of hot things or burns due to fire. But burn need not be only caused due to touching hot things or fire. It may be caused due to electric appliances or live wire, over exposure to sun etc. What ever the cause may be, it only gives you the pain. Small children experience more severe pain due to their sensitive skin.

Reduce the temperature of the burnt area

After a burn, the very first thing that you should do is to reduce the temperature of the burnt area. Put lots of chilled water or dip that body part into chilled water for 15 to 30 minutes.
Apply honey to the wound once you have washed the wound properly. It will prevent infection and will heal the wound.
Papaya contains enzymes that help to remove dead cells from the wound.
Aloe Vera is good for treating burns. Cut some fresh aloe Vera leaves and put it on the burnt area.Once the wound starts healing, break a capsule of vitamin E and pour the liquid on it. This will prevent scarring.
Applying lavender oil is also found to be effective for burns.

High Protein, High Calorie diet rich in vitamins and minerals is useful for recovery

Diet plays a very important role in the healing process. To speed up the recovery, burns patients must consume a high protein and calorie diet. Skin burn causes a loss of substantial percentage of micronutrients, such as copper, selenium, and zinc. This slows the healing process and also increases the risk of infection.
Some of the vitamins important for the recovery are Vitamin B complex, Vitamin C, Glutamine, Arginine, copper, zinc, Selenium etc.

Other factors you need to know for burns

Once the preliminary treatment for the burn is done, don't get careless. Take your medicines on time and do not keep the wound open.