Whether you've poured hot tea on yourself or touched the oven, first-degree burns are painful. Although the first instinct is to place ice on the suffering skin, in reality this method causes more damage. Learn to properly treat burns as soon as they occur; the pain should begin to subside within a few hours, but if it persists you can put some methods in place to manage it.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Stop the Pain
Step 1. Define if you have suffered a first or second degree burn
The first degree is minor, while the second degree causes further damage to the layers of the epidermis; it can cause blistering, pain, redness and bleeding, therefore requires different care or medical treatment and it is therefore important to identify the level of severity of the situation. To understand if it is a first degree burn, check for the following characteristics:
- Redness of only the outer layer of skin (epidermis);
- Damage to the skin, but there are no blisters
- The pain is similar to that caused by sunburn;
- The pain is stinging, but the skin is not torn.
- If large blisters form, the burn affects a large area of the body, or you notice an infection (the wound oozes, you feel severe pain, there is redness and swelling) seek medical attention before attempting home treatments.
Step 2. Cool the skin
Put the burned area under cold running water for 20 minutes; this remedy should lower the temperature of the epidermis. If you don't want to stand in front of the sink with running water for that long, fill a bowl with fresh water and soak the scalded skin. You can add ice cubes to the tray, as the water can heat up quickly, but make sure it's cool and not too cold.
- Do not run ice water over the skin and do not immerse the burned area in it, as the rapid change in temperature can damage the already damaged delicate tissue.
- If you decide to use the bowl, make sure it is large enough to completely submerge the burned area.
Step 3. Apply ice if you feel pain
If the skin is still sore after cooling it with water, you can proceed with this method; However, be sure to wrap the ice in a towel or kitchen paper to avoid direct contact. Place the compress, ice wrapped in cloth, or even a bag of frozen vegetables on the burn. leave it on for 10 minutes, but move it often if you feel your skin is getting too cold.
Never place ice directly on the burned area
Step 4. Apply antibiotic ointment and cover the burn if blisters form
From now on you should experience pain relief. You should only cover the wound if blisters develop (which means the burn has reached the second degree). Medicala simply by drying it by dabbing; apply a generous amount of topical antibiotic, such as Neosporin, and cover it with clean gauze. Tape around the edges to hold the gauze in place or block it by bandaging the burn area if you want more flexibility.
- Most first-degree sunburns don't need antibiotics or bandages; instead, you should apply a natural moisturizer, such as aloe vera, several times a day.
- Change the bandage every day until the skin looks normal again.
Part 2 of 2: Dealing with Persistent Pain
Step 1. Take some pain relievers
If the pain is still severe enough to distract you from normal activities, take over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, or acetaminophen. follow the instructions on the leaflet to establish the correct dosage and know how often to take them.
- If you have cuts or bleeding, you should not take NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen and aspirin) as they can thin the blood.
- Do not give aspirin to children or adolescents without first consulting your doctor, especially if the child experiences flu-like symptoms.
Step 2. Apply aloe vera gel
Spread it directly on the burned area; you should experience a refreshing sensation on the skin. Some studies have found that it stimulates faster healing of burns, as it hydrates effectively.
- If you buy an aloe vera-based skin product, make sure that this is the main ingredient and that there are not too many additives; gels that contain alcohol, for example, can actually irritate and dry out the skin.
- Do not spread this product on broken skin or open blisters as it may cause infections.
Step 3. Apply a topical anesthetic spray, such as lidocaine
This drug temporarily relieves the stinging sensation due to first degree burn. Make sure the area to be treated is clean and dry before proceeding, you should feel some numbness within 1 to 2 minutes.
However, do not use these anesthetic sprays for more than a week; if pain is still present or triggers irritation, see your doctor
Step 4. Protect the burn from sun damage and other factors
Keep it sheltered when you go outdoors, especially if it is a sunny or windy day, as these weather conditions can cause other damage; in addition, wear comfortable clothing made with a tight weave. You need to take special precautions when you are outdoors during times when the sun's rays are at their peak, i.e. between 10:00 and 16:00.
Apply a broad spectrum sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30 and spread it every two hours
Step 5. Watch out for infections
Any skin damage can compromise the body's first line of defense against bacteria, leading to infections. If you find that the burn is difficult to heal, always consult your doctor, who can determine if this complication has developed. During daily medication, watch for unusual symptoms such as:
- The reddened area extends;
- Presence of greenish, pus-like secretions;
- Increases the pain;
- The area is swollen.
Advice
- Avoid common home remedies, such as applying butter or baby oil in an attempt to lower the skin's temperature. in fact, these solutions block the heat even more and can cause infections.
- Keep the burn away from excessive heat.
- In the event of a burn, check that the vaccination status is up to date, especially for tetanus.
