Honey has been used for hundreds of years to treat sunburn and other skin wounds. Its antioxidant and antibacterial properties allow the skin to regenerate. When applied to a burn, it moisturizes the injury, promoting fast healing and minimal scarring. Use honey to quickly and naturally treat first-degree burns and smaller second-degree burns.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Diagnosing the Burn
Step 1. Recognize a first degree burn
It's pretty easy to get burned. It can happen due to heat, fire, sun, electricity, boiling liquids like water, sauces and other foods, chemicals. First degree burns are the least severe and affect the superficial layers of the skin.
- First-degree burns are red and painful. If you put pressure on them, they turn white.
- This type of burn usually goes away within 3-6 days. During healing, the skin can peel. Scarring is usually minimal or nonexistent.
Step 2. Recognize a second degree burn
This sunburn is more severe than a first degree sunburn. It affects deeper layers of skin. It has a red or mottled appearance, is swollen and very painful. Blisters may form.
- This type of burn usually goes away within 2-3 weeks. It can be accompanied by scarring.
- If the burn is more than 2.5 cm in size, seek immediate medical attention.
Step 3. Learn to identify a third degree burn
It is the deepest and most severe sunburn. Damages all skin layers. The skin may have a whitish, charred, or blackened appearance.
- Third degree burns require a immediate medical attention. Don't try to treat them yourself.
- They are usually not painful because nerve damage also occurs.
- These burns can take months to heal and heal in the process.
Part 2 of 4: Treat Minor Sunburns Immediately
Step 1. Let cold water run over the burn
Immediately after you get burned, run cold water over the area to cool it and ease the discomfort. Do this for at least 5 minutes.
- Second-degree burns should be cooled for at least 15 minutes.
- Do not apply ice to the burned area.
Step 2. Pour some medicinal honey on the affected area
Use this substance to coat the entire burned area and surrounding tissue that has not been damaged. Don't skimp on honey. You need to create a thick enough layer on and around the wound. Depending on its location, make sure that the density of the layer is approximately 6 mm.
- If possible, use medicinal honey. Examples are manuka honey from New Zealand and German Medihoney.
- If you can't find medicinal honey, you can opt for organic, unfiltered raw honey. Do not use the classic one on sale in the supermarket.
- Avoid using rhododendron-based honey. It can contain toxins such as grayanotoxins and is called "crazy honey" because it is known to cause dizziness and hallucinations.
Step 3. Spread honey on the affected area
Use a thin plastic bag, airtight bag, or wooden ice cream stick to gently spread honey over the burned area and surrounding area.
Step 4. Wrap the burned area with bandages
Use sterile gauze or non-stick gauze. Cover the affected area completely. Secure it with medical tape.
Step 5. For more severe burns, seek immediate medical attention
If you've suffered a large second-degree (greater than 2.5cm) or third-degree burn, go to the emergency room right away.
If you have a second-degree burn, you should still soothe the burn with cold tap water for 15 minutes, or until help arrives
Step 6. Go to the emergency room right away if you have an electrical, chemical, or radiation burn
All burns of this type (except mild sunburn) should be treated by medical professionals as soon as possible.
Chemical burns should be soothed with fresh tap water for at least 5 minutes. Seek immediate medical attention
Part 3 of 4: Change the gauze
Step 1. Wash your hands
Before changing the gauze applied to the burn, be sure to wash your hands. If this is the area involved, ask someone to help you. Before continuing, ask him to wash his hands with soap and water.
Step 2. Gently remove the gauze
If peeling skin adheres to the fabric, allow it to be removed from the burned area. According to some studies, honey helps soften and separate the skin more easily and painlessly, so this step should be relatively easy.
Discard the old gauze
Step 3. Check for infections
Look at the affected area to see if there are any signs of infection. They could include:
- Pus or other secretions
- Swollen parts containing a clear liquid (if the skin has blisters, leave them intact)
- Red streaks radiating from the wound
- Fever.
Step 4. If you want, apply antibiotic ointment
If you think it is an infection but it seems minor, you can spread a triple antibiotic ointment or cream on it, although honey generally prevents infections.
If you think you have a more serious infection (for example, you have a fever or see red streaks), go to the emergency room immediately
Step 5. Do not remove tissue from the burn
Removing peeling skin from the burned area can cause further damage, such as scarring. It is useless to remove the tissue that remains on the burned area after removing the gauze. Let the body do this work. Eventually it will fall off normally and the honey will speed up the process.
Step 6. Do not wash out honey with water
Honey has antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. It can prevent infections in most cases. It forms a protective barrier over the area, so removing it will expose vulnerable tissue. Let it act on the affected area.
Step 7. Add more honey to the burned area
Use whatever is necessary to cover the burned area. You should form a layer of about 6mm.
Step 8. Apply clean gauze
Use a sterile or non-stick one to completely cover the affected area. Secure it with medical tape.
Part 4 of 4: Allowing the Burn to Heal
Step 1. Change the gauze every day
Replace the gauze and apply more honey daily. Look at the wound - it should look rosacea and bumpy.
Step 2. Let the wound air out
Every day, free it for 1-2 hours. This allows the burned area to receive air. Then, reapply the honey and clean sterile or non-stick gauze.
Step 3. Eliminate the honey
A first-degree wound should heal within a week. A small second degree burn should heal within 2 weeks. Once this is done, remove the honey with fresh tap water.
If a burn takes more than 2 weeks to heal, see a doctor to have it examined
Advice
If you take something hot between your fingers, immediately use them to grab your earlobe. The heat will be transferred quickly from the burn to the earlobe. The fingers have a large number of nerve endings, while the earlobe has fewer and has a relatively large surface area. A larger area can dissipate heat faster
Warnings
- Do not try to remove clothing or other materials burned from a second or third degree burn. This could further damage the sunburn.
- Use only water to cool a burn.
- Do not apply butter, oil or ice to burns.
