Burns and Homeopathic Remedies, Natural medicines......

 Burns

INTRODUCTION:-

Homeopathic remedies can help to soothe the pain of burns and reduce the chance of blistering. Burns require immediate attention to prevent further tissue damage, so cold applications and natural remedies should always be close at hand. Burns—even minor ones—can cause some degree of shock, and care should be taken that the person rests. Any serious burn should have emergency attention from a physician.

There are three levels of burns:

·         First-degree burns affect only the outer layer of the skin. They cause pain, redness, and swelling.

·         Second-degree (partial thickness) burns affect both the outer and underlying layer of skin. They cause pain, redness, swelling, and blistering.

·     

    Third-degree (full thickness) burns extend into deeper tissues. They cause white or blackened, charred skin that may be numb.

Considerations

Before giving first aid, evaluate how extensively burned the person is and try to determine the depth of the most serious part of the burn. Then treat the entire burn accordingly. If in doubt, treat it as a severe burn.

By giving immediate first aid before professional medical help arrives, you can help lessen the severity of the burn. Prompt medical attention to serious burns can help prevent scarring, disability, and deformity. Burns on the face, hands, feet, and genitals can be particularly serious.

Children under age 4 and adults over age 60 have a higher chance of complications and death from severe burns.

In case of a fire, you and the others there are at risk for carbon monoxide poisoning. Anyone with symptoms of headache, numbness, weakness, or chest pain should be tested.

Causes

Burns can be caused by dry heat (like fire), wet heat (such as steam or hot liquids), radiation, friction, heated objects, the sun, electricity, or chemicals.

Thermal burns are the most common type. Thermal burns occur when hot metals, scalding liquids, steam, or flames come in contact with your skin. These are frequently the result of fires, automobile accidents, playing with matches, improperly stored gasoline, space heaters, and electrical malfunctions. Other causes include unsafe handling of firecrackers and kitchen accidents (such as a child climbing on top of a stove or grabbing a hot iron).

Burns to your airways can be caused by inhaling smoke, steam, superheated air, or toxic fumes, often in a poorly ventilated space.

Burns in children are sometimes traced to parental abuse.

Symptoms

·         Blisters

·         Pain (the degree of pain is not related to the severity of the burn -- the most serious burns can be painless)

·         Peeling skin

·         Red skin

·         Shock (watch for pale and clammy skin, weakness, bluish lips and fingernails, and a drop in alertness)

·         Swelling

·         White or charred skin

Symptoms of an airways burn:

·         Charred mouth; burned lips

·         Burns on the head, face, or neck

·         Wheezing

·         Change in voice

·         Difficulty breathing; coughing

·         Singed nose hairs or eyebrows

·         Dark, carbon-stained mucus

First Aid

FOR MINOR BURNS

·         If the skin is unbroken, run cool water over the area of the burn or soak it in a cool water bath (not ice water). Keep the area submerged for at least 5 minutes. A clean, cold, wet towel will also help reduce pain.

·         Calm and reassure the person.

·         After flushing or soaking, cover the burn with a dry, sterile bandage or clean dressing.

·         Protect the burn from pressure and friction.

·         Over-the-counter ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help relieve pain and swelling. Do NOT give children under 12 aspirin. Once the skin has cooled, moisturizing lotion also can help.

·         Minor burns will usually heal without further treatment. However, if a second-degree burn covers an area more than 2 to 3 inches in diameter, or if it is located on the hands, feet, face, groin, buttocks, or a major joint, treat the burn as a major burn.

·         Make sure the person is up to date on tetanus immunization.

FOR MAJOR BURNS

·         If someone is on fire, tell the person to stop, drop, and roll. Wrap the person in thick material to smother the flames (a wool or cotton coat, rug, or blanket). Douse the person with water.

·         Call 911.

·         Make sure that the person is no longer in contact with smoldering materials. However, do NOT remove burned clothing that is stuck to the skin.

·         Make sure the person is breathing. If breathing has stopped, or if the person's airways are blocked, open the airways. If necessary, begin rescue breathing and CPR.

·         Cover the burn area with a dry sterile bandage (if available) or clean cloth. A sheet will do if the burned area is large. Do NOT apply any ointments. Avoid breaking burn blisters.

·         If fingers or toes have been burned, separate them with dry, sterile, non adhesive dressings.

·         Elevate the body part that is burned above the level of the heart. Protect the burn area from pressure and friction.

·         Take steps to prevent shock. Lay the person flat, elevate the feet about 12 inches, and cover the person with a coat or blanket. However, do NOT place the person in this shock position if a head, neck, back, or leg injury is suspected or if it makes the person uncomfortable.

·         Continue to monitor the person's vital signs until medical help arrives. This means pulse, rate of breathing, and blood pressure.

What are the signs of burning problems?

Burning symptoms fall into two main categories: paresthesias and tissue-damage burning symptoms. The two categories are easily distinguished by their very different causes. Temporary paresthesia is a prickling or pins-and-needles sensation that may be perceived as a burning symptom. It is most familiar as the sensation you feel when your leg or arm has fallen asleep because of persistent pressure on a nerve after staying in one position for too long. Chronic paresthesia lasts longer and is caused by nerve damage from either trauma or a neurologic disorder.

In contrast, tissue-damage burning symptoms (or burns) are described as a feeling of heat that is nearly always accompanied by some degree of pain (except in severe burns that have caused nerve destruction), ranging from a mildly sharp pain (as in a mild sunburn) to a searing pain. These symptoms are caused by tissue damage from exposure to chemicals, radiation, heat, electricity or sunlight. Burn injuries often affect the skin, but they can also affect mucous membranes and internal tissues or organs.

DO NOT

·         Do NOT apply ointment, butter, ice, medications, cream, oil spray, or any household remedy to a severe burn.

·         Do NOT breathe, blow, or cough on the burn.

·         Do NOT disturb blistered or dead skin.

·         Do NOT remove clothing that is stuck to the skin.

·         Do NOT give the person anything by mouth, if there is a severe burn.

·         Do NOT immerse a severe burn in cold water. This can cause shock.

·         Do NOT place a pillow under the person's head if there is an airways burn. This can close the airways.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

·         The burn is extensive (the size of your palm or larger).

·         The burn is severe (third degree).

·         You aren't sure how serious it is.

·         The burn is caused by chemicals or electricity.

·         The person shows signs of shock.

·         The person inhaled smoke.

·         Physical abuse is the known or suspected cause of the burn.

·         There are other symptoms associated with the burns

Call a doctor if your pain is still present after 48 hours. Call immediately if signs of infection develop. These signs include increased pain, redness, swelling, drainage or pus from the burn,swollen lymph nodes, red streaks spreading from the burn, or fever.

Also call immediately if there are signs of dehydration: thirst, dry skin, dizziness, lightheadedness, or decreased urination. Children, elderly, and anyone with a weakened immune system (for example, HIV) should be seen right away.

Prevention

To help prevent burns:

·         Install smoke alarms in your home. Check and change batteries regularly.

·         Teach children about fire safety and the hazards of matches and fireworks.

·         Keep children from climbing on top of a stove or grabbing hot items like irons and oven doors.

·         Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove so that children can't grab them and they can't be accidentally knocked over.

·         Place fire extinguishers in key locations at home, work, and school.

·         Remove electrical cords from floors and keep them out of reach.

·         Know about and practice fire escape routes at home, work, and school.

·         Set temperature of water heater at 120 degrees or less.

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDY

Arnica: This is a valuable first-aid remedy to help reduce pain and swelling and prevent the onset of shock after any injury. Another remedy that is more specific to the burn should be considered after Arnica.

Cantharis: This remedy is indicated for extreme burning pain, when the person is very intense and restless. It is often useful in reducing or preventing blister formation. Cantharis can help with any burn, but is most often indicated for severe ones (second or third degree). If used early it will prevent the formation of blisters. This is the most used remedy for scalds, burn and sunburns with blisters and superficial ulceration. Small blisters coalesce to form large blisters. Burns and scalds with rawness and burning better for cold applications. Burns followed by excessive inflammation. Burns that lead to tetanic or epileptic convulsions followed by coma. Extensive burns that result in renal complications. Patient is worsened by touch, approach and better for rest. Use internally as a remedy and externally as a lotion

Causticum: If a burn is intensely painful and blisters seem to be forming, this remedy may help to bring relief. The person often feels more sad than restless from the pain. Rawness and soreness may develop in the injured area. Causticum is also helpful when pain remains in older burns, or when burns have not completely healed.

Hepar sulphuris calcareum: This remedy is helpful for treating very sensitive and painful burns in people who are prone to infection. The person may feel extremely vulnerable and irritable, and may have chills or be very sensitive to cold.

Hypericum: This remedy is often helpful when the pain of a burn is intense and the nerves are extremely sensitive. Along with the usual discomfort of a burn, stabbing or shooting pains may be felt in the injured area.

Phosphorus: This remedy may be useful for the pain of electrical burns, on the way to medical care. (When electrical burns occur, the damaged area may look small on the surface, but be more extensive underneath; they should always be examined by a doctor.)

Urtica urens: When a burn is mild and the primary symptoms are redness and stinging pain, this remedy often brings relief. It is often useful for sunburn when the pain is prickly and stinging. For simple burns involving the skin. Superficial burns. Burns with Intense burning and itching. Useful for chemical burns or burns from poisonous plants. Use internally as  a remedy or externally as a lotion

Calendula and Hypericum tinctures: These tinctures (used topically in unpotentized herbal form) often is helpful in soothing burns and promoting tissue healing. Ten drops of eitherCalendula or Hypericum tincture, or both, may be mixed in an ounce of water and applied to the area several times per day.

Homeopathy Dosage Directions

Select the remedy that most closely matches the symptoms. In conditions where self-treatment is appropriate, unless otherwise directed by a physician, a lower potency (6X, 6C, 12X, 12C, 30X, or 30C) should be used. In addition, instructions for use are usually printed on the label.

Many homeopathic physicians suggest that remedies be used as follows: Take one dose and wait for a response. If improvement is seen, continue to wait and let the remedy work. If improvement lags significantly or has clearly stopped, another dose may be taken. The frequency of dosage varies with the condition and the individual. Sometimes a dose may be required several times an hour; other times a dose may be indicated several times a day; and in some situations, one dose per day (or less) can be sufficient.

If no response is seen within a reasonable amount of time, select a different remedy.

NATURAL TREATMENT OF BURN

There are three levels of burns, two of which can usually be handled in your home or apartment.

First degree burns affect the outer part of your skin only. Sunburn and scalding from hot water or steam are a couple of examples of first degree burns.

Second degree burns are more painful and produce blistering or loss of some outer skin, while perhaps affecting underlying skin. If it covers a large area or if it is on your hands and face, you may want to seek medical help quickly. But these first aid tips can apply to first and second degree burns before getting medical attention.

Third degree burns are the worst, going deeply and possibly destroying muscle tissue. Then it's 911 or rush to the hospital ER time. These tips are not recommended for third degree burns. Ironically, there may be less pain experienced due to nerve damage or shock.

If any level of burn is from a chemical, rinsing for a long time with lots of water is needed before other first aid handling.

(1) Cold Water

This may be the first thing to do before anything else. If practical, soaking the burn in water with a few ice cubes provides immediate relief. Do not put ice directly on a burn. It may be necessary to use ice for removing dried wax or tar at first, but otherwise ice is too much of a shock for the damaged skin. Just use the ice to keep the water really cold for as long as possible, until the pain subsides. Sometimes running water on the burn is helpful and quicker to utilize. The constant flow keeps the water from warming up and literally moves the heat away.

(2) Vinegar

This seems counterintuitive, but plain vinegar, especially if it's cold out of the fridge, was a sunburn remedy for taking out the sting and healing quickly with native Floridians for years. For a more serious first degree burn and even some second degree burns, it's recommended that a compress soaked in vinegar and water be placed over the burn. It seems the pH factor of vinegar helps heal burns faster.

(3) Lavender

Pure unadulterated lavender essential oil is used both for pain relief and faster healing. Lavender is even used in some hospitals for burns. It's good to use for second degree burns as well as first degree burns. Lavender can eliminate infections due to its natural antibiotic qualities. It can be used for pain relief as well as healing, but you can get more immediate relief from the pain with cold water and then a spray of some therapeutic grade lavender oil on the area.

(4) Aloe Vera

Great for healing first and second degree burns. Aloe Vera should be applied after most of the pain is handled. It's best to use it fresh from the plant's leaves. Simply peel part of a leaf to expose the gooey part and rub that on the burn. There are some commercially sold Aloe Vera gels, but one has to make sure they are not adulterated in any way.

(5) Noni Juice

Though not well known, Noni Juice applied directly to burns has a successful anecdotal history. It's effective if you can get freshly squeezed Noni juice instead of the reconstituted stuff multi-level groups promote. Noni juice has historically demonstrated powerful healing properties with topical applications on burns in the Pacific Islands.

(6) Calendula

Calendula is also used for both minor burns and sunburn and can be applied in ointment, cream or lotion form to the face. It helps relieve and heal injured or inflamed skin, and a cooled infusion of the herb's bright marigold flower makes a soothing lotion or wash, according to Chevallier and the University of Maryland Medical Center. The cleansing, antiseptic and detoxifying properties of calendula also help stave off infection in burns, adds Chevallier.

(7) Witch Hazel

Common witch hazel water is produced using distilled liquid made from the tree bark and leaves of the witch hazel tree. Witch hazel water is a helpful facial skin tonic and cleanser, but witch hazel water or lotion aids in healing sore and inflamed skin such as that affected by minor burns, according to Chevallier.

(8) Oats

Once your burn or sunburn starts to heal, you might find that soaked oats will help to ease healing burned skin. Oats also naturally nourish and revitalize facial skin. Make an oatmeal face mask to relieve inflamed skin or use oats to help slough away dead skin.

All of these first aid remedies can all be easily stored in your kitchen.


HONEY AS BURN TREATMENT

 

Honey is concentrated nectar produced and processed by honeybees. Natural, or raw, honey does not undergo further processing. Many store-bought honeys undergo filtering and pasteurization, which produces a clear liquid and prevents crystallization during storage. This process also removes many of the other bee products found in honey, such as bee pollen and propolis, which may affect the healing properties. Honey used for burn treatment, as well as other medical applications, is usually unprocessed natural honey.

 

HISTORY

Healers have used honey as a medicinal product for thousands of years, according to Drugs.com, and ancient Egyptian medical texts include references to honey as a healing remedy. A common use for honey was---and still is---as a topical application for burns and wound healing due to its antibacterial and antiseptic properties. Honey may also function as an expectorant and is an ingredient in some holistic and homeopathic cough syrups.

 

RESEARCH

Several studies have evaluated the effectiveness of honey as a treatment for burns. A 2009 review in the New Zealand Medical Journal evaluated eight controlled trials that evaluated the efficacy of honey compared with other burn treatments. The reviewers concluded that natural, or unprocessed, honey was superior to other substances for the treatment of first-degree and mild second-degree burns. They recommend further research, however, noting that the clinical trials were poorly structured.

EFFECTS

Honey absorbs water from bacteria, slowing its reproduction and growth, according to Malcolm Sanford, a professor at the University of Florida. It also covers burns and prevents air from reaching the area, which may reduce pain. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations says honey reduces blistering of burns, speeds healing and reduces scarring by stimulating skin re-growth. As an added benefit, dressings coated with honey do not stick to wounds and burns.

TYPES OF HONEY

The physical characteristics of honey vary depending on the primary nectar utilized by the honeybees. Different nectars result in different levels of sweetness, as well as different colors, aromas and tastes. Sanford notes that mangrove honey is very sweet and light-colored, while orange blossom honey has a citrus taste and may be a reddish color. The healing properties of honey do not seem to depend on the nectar. Some proponents of manuka honey claim it has superior healing properties compared with other honeys; however, the scientific evidence is mixed.

PRECAUTIONS

Do not apply honey to moderate or severe burns without first consulting a health care professional. If mild burns do not improve in a day or two, a medical evaluation may be necessary. External application of honey to intact skin is generally safe, and it is a common ingredient in soaps and skin care products. If you are allergic to honey or bees, however, consult your health care professional before using honey in any form.

HAPPY DIWALI TO ALL READERS OF MY BLOG , may read my other blog on this address”drsushilsrivastava.blogspot.com”, “drsushilsaran.blogspot.com drsushilthik.blogspot.com”