August 2011 Final Pages.indd - World Memon Organization ...

HOME REMEDIES
Home remedies
for burns
Each year, millions suffer fromburn
injuries. This high incidence can be
attributed to the lack of proper safety
measures.
For serious burn injuries, it is mandatory
to seek medical help as soon as possible.
However, minor burns like sunburns or
household burns, can be treated with certain
home remedies to minimize pain.
These home remedies include easy-to-follow
steps using materials that you will find
in your kitchen. However, always remember
that these remedies are not a substitute for
prescribed treatments by healthcare professionals.
Plantain leaves:
area under cold running water. This should
be done for around 10-15 minutes or until
the pain subsides a little. If this is not possible,
immerse the burnt area directly in cold
water or use a cold compressor. However,
remember not to put ice directly after injury.
The prime aim of cooling the burn is to
reduce the swelling by conducting the heat
away from the skin.
Vinegar:
Tea bags:
A very popular remedy for treating burns,
the leaves of the herbaceous Plantain plant
are known for their mild anti-inflammatory
and anti-microbial actions. All you need to
do is smash the leaves properly and apply
it directly over the burnt area. Although
native to Europe and Asia, these plants can
be found in almost all places where there
is sufficient water. The main component in
these leaves that help to cure burn cases are
tannins, mucilage and iridoid glycosides.
Cool water:
An important first aid for curing first and
second degree burns is by cooling the burnt
An outstanding first-aid burn treatment
is by using diluted vinegar on the area.
This compound acts as an antiseptic and
astringent thus helping to prevent any kind
of infection on the burnt area. Before applying,
dilute equal parts of vinegar and water.
Next, using a clean piece of cloth, cover
the injured area with this solution. If you
feel the pain becoming stronger again after
sometime, replace the cloth with a fresh
one.
Honey:
In case you don’t have access to vinegar,
coat a layer of honey over the burnt area.
According to studies, dressing burnt areas
with honey promotes healing and reduces
the pain. This is because honey helps to
draw out fluids from the tissues thereby
effectively cleaning the wound. Alternately,
you can also apply honey using a piece of
cloth or a sterile gauge bandage.
A handy treatment for curing minor kitchen
burns, tea bags help to draw out heat from
the area. Both black and green teas are
known for their anti-oxidizing and cooling
properties. All you need to do is just dip a
tea bag in a bowl of cold water and then
apply it directly over the area. This will not
only help to soothe the pain but also prevent
any kind of infection on the burnt area. A
second method involves mixing 3-4 tea bags
in 4 cups of boiling water and then adds 2
cups of fresh mint leaves to it. Allow this
to cool and then slowly dab this concoction
over the area using a swab of cotton.
Lavender oil:
Apart from its uses in aromatherapy,
lavender oil is also used as a popular home
remedy for minor burns. Its main use is to
prevent the stinging pain associated with
burns and protects the inner layers of the
skin around the burnt area from infection.
MEMON ALAM AUGUST 2011 27