Burns

[spangle111]

What is the best thing to take the pain out of burns? Nothing thats going to look too unsightly if possible because its on my hand but I'll try anything once!

[maggie01]

The best way is to run it under cold water as soon as it happens, but thats a bit late now.

[spangle111]

Did it straight away Maggie but it was a pan full of boiling gravy and it had blistered before I even got to the tap, tried one of those antiseptic sprays too but that hasn't worked - not my week really I've got cracked ribs too - Whatever next!

[MangoPete]

aromatherapy was discovered in Europe when a french man covered his hands with boiling water. He put his hands into a contaiiner which in his panic he hought was water but it was lavender oil. Well he was french!
To his amazement there was no scarring.
When I burn myself I used a pack of frozen peas prawns etc from the freezer fpor 10 mins. If this ins't possible or it is a vbig area freezing water or a freezing bath is best.
then I put on lavender. If it is really bad I put ice onit till it goes numb hten lavender oil then ice again till the burning goes away.
if the damage has already been done put some lavender oion the area anyway this will reduce the pian and scaring and heal the burn quicker
I have been useing this remedy for over 20yrs.
Good luck

[spangle111]

Thanx MangoPete I'll give it a go - I much prefer to use natural remedies and I think I've got a bottle of lavender oil - do I need to put it into a carrier oil first or should I use it neat? Might try some aloe vera too I've got a large plant of that which I use on cuts and grazes so you never know - it may work Thanks again x

[justineo]

Hi spangle, for short term relief, try cucumber or toothpaste. They both work.

[spangle111]

Justineo you are a star - got no cucumber but I'm reaching for the toothpaste as I type! Thanks x

[nfn]

make a paste of bicarbonate of soda and cold water, smear it on thick. it really works. from a chemist you can't beat Jelonet dressings, they're made by Smith and Nephew and are brilliant. They are quite stiff at first but your body heat soon moulds them into shape, I was badly scalded on my stomach a few years ago and these really worked when everything else had failed, I also used one on my friend's 2 year old a few weeks ago when she grabbed an iron and burnt her palm.

[lynneuk74]

As a first aider I believe you should, in all honesty, keep a burn dry - not put anything on it. You should just keep it covered with a dry, clean, non-stick dressing until it begins to scab over.

Not saying the other stuff doesn't work but the official line is nothing but a clean dressing.

I would definitely say that you should cool the burn down thoroughly before adding anything with oil or cream as otherwise you are literally just frying!!!!!

[I_love_Ken]

when I fell onto a gas heater, my face was badly burned, when it was cooled down my parents took me to the local hosp, wearing a gelpack.
just dont put it onto a fresh burn straight away, if its charred orr anything youre done for!!
it stuck!

[cassimer]

As a not too careful but enthusiastic cook i burn myself regularly.. By far the best thing to use is menthalatum you can buy in a little pot. Just smear on the stuff, and put a plaster on. After 5 mins of stinging pain disappears. Amazing!

[mimififi]

I just use germalene, or sudacrem. But they are only for minor burns, so they mightn't be ok for more serious ones.....
hope it feels better soon