Happy Diwali to everyone!!
Diwali is undoubtedly one of the biggest festivals in India. The week-long celebration is full of colors, lights, cards, and sweets. However, it is also the time when our country sees a lot of burn cases. Reckless use of firecrackers can cause mild to severe burns which, if not treated on time, can be life-threatening.
Each year, India witnesses many cases of firecracker injuries during Diwali festival. Make sure your children stay away from firecrackers this Diwali. If you or anyone of your family member suffers burn while bursting firecrackers or handling hot liquids or flames, give first aid treatment immediately. Here are some best home remedies to treat mild (first-degree and second-degree) burn injuries.
Home remedies can be extremely helpful in reducing down the damage in mild cases of burns and prevent complications in extreme ones.
Keep The Diwali First-Aid Kit Ready
To make sure that the right and immediate first aid is being provided to the burn victim, here are a few things you must keep handy while you celebrate the festival.
Coldwater and/or cold compress. Ice patches are also very important to treat burns.
Moisturizing lotion with skin treating ingredients like aloe Vera
Bandage
Sterile gauze
OTC pain relief
1) Cold Water
The first and the basic home remedy to treat a burn is to use cold water or cold compress. Do not use refrigerated water, use normal tap water.
If your hands get burnt with firecrackers on Diwali, immediately run cool (not cold) water over the affected area. Keep doing this for about 20 minutes. This will reduce the pain and prevent the burn from worsening and damaging deeper layers of skin. Then wash the burned area with a mild antibacterial soap and water to prevent infection.
2) Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera has many skin benefits and among all others, it is also extremely good for your burnt skin. Aloe Vera is great for treating first degree burns.
Thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, aloe Vera is often called as the "burn plant.
Apply fresh aloe Vera gel directly to the affected area to get the benefits. When buying aloe Vera products, choose the ones that contain a high percentage of aloe Vera and avoid those that have additives, like coloring and perfumes.
3) Honey
Honey which is another great ingredient for your skin also helps in treating first-degree burns. Its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties are great for treating any burning sensations.
Applying honey over the burn may help sterilize the area, prevent infection, soothe burned skin, and reduce pain. Apply honey to a bandage first, then place it over the burn.
4) Coconut Oil
One from the ancient book of healing burn injuries - coconut oil is also a great ingredient to treat burns. Coconut oil is packed with vitamin E which is also excellent for the post-burn mark on your skin.
When coconut oil applied on the burnt area would help you get relief from pain and the burn marks may also vanish. Coconut oil contains anti-fungal & anti-bacterial elements like fatty acid such as myristic acid, lauric acid, and caprice acid. These make it a good solution for cracker burns. The oil soothes the area and alleviates the pain.
5) Use antibiotic ointments
If the burn has open blisters, apply antibiotic creams and ointments like Bacitracin or Neosporin. This will prevent infection in the wound and help the burn heal faster. After applying an antibiotic cream, cover up the burned area with cling film or a sterile, non-fluffy dressing or cloth. Make sure it is wrapped loosely.
6) Ginger
For any minor burn that happens in the kitchen run for a piece of ginger. Chop the ginger and squeeze the ginger juice over the affected region, the anti-inflammatory properties aid in soothing the burn.
7) Turmeric
Turmeric is an antibiotic agent that can treat firework burns very fast. It is one of the best home remedies that work against inflammation. Mix it with lukewarm milk and apply it as a paste on the affected area. Turmeric gives an effective remedy for all minor & major injuries.
8) Potato
Potato can be utilized to treat minor skin burns during Diwali. Ensure that you utilize a raw potato to relieve the burnt zone. Home remedies for burns can work wonders if applied immediately after getting burnt. The raw potato will likewise check any aggravation around the injury.
Conclusion:
These home remedies work well for first and second - degree burns to relieve the pain and inflammation as the process of healing occurs on its own for minor scalds or burns. But in severe cases, it requires immediate medical attention and treatment.
However, there are some home remedies that are ineffective, and you should never try out as it may worsen the burns which include use of essential oils like coconut, olive or sesame, butter, toothpaste, ice cube and egg white.
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