Great Ways To Treat Serious Burns At Home Quickly

Do Not Reach For Ice

Putting ice on a burn may sound like a good idea, and it may even help the area feel better at the time. However, ice restricts blood flow to the skin, which can further damage tissue by not allowing blood and oxygen to reach the wound. Instead, immediately place the burned area under cold running water and keep it there for twenty minutes if possible. This will help prevent the wound from spreading. The cooling water may also contribute to reducing inflammation.

Other Remedies To Avoid

The following home remedies should be avoided for treating burns: butter, cooking oil, egg white, and mint toothpaste. Butter retains heat as well as potentially containing bacteria that can cause further infection. Although cooking oil is excellent for many uses, burns are not one of them because the oil acts similarly to butter and can even cause the skin to continue burning. Egg whites carry a risk of bacterial infection that can make its way into the bloodstream through the burn wound. Some individuals will even find themselves exhibiting an allergic reaction or symptoms to this remedy. Using toothpaste on a burn is considered an old wives' tale that can irritate the wound and create an environment that is ripe for infection. Toothpaste is also not sterile so it should be avoided at all costs while treating a burn.