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The Doctors Book of Home Remedies II: Burns

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Burns

While close encounters of the third-degree kind require immediate medical attention, most everyday household burns are not too hot for you to handle.

There are no burned-in-stone rules about what to do when you've encountered searing ovens, sizzling fireplaces or super-hot steam. But here's the rule of thumb: First- and second-degree burns can usually be self-treated if they're smaller than a quarter on a child or a silver dollar on an adult. You should see a doctor, however, for larger burns or for burns on infants under 1 year of age or on adults over age 60.

No matter the cause, the key to quick relief is quick relief. Since your cells continue to toast even after you separate yourself from the heat source, what you do in the first few minutes after being burned can make all the difference in how well your skin heals. Here's how to make the most of that time-and shorten the healing process.

Milk it. "Milk is an excellent compress for minor burns," says Stephen M. Purcell, D.O., chairman of the Department of Dermatology at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and assistant clinical professor at Hahnemann University School of Medicine in Philadelphia. "Simply soak the burned area in milk for 15 minutes or so, or apply a milk-soaked washcloth to the area." Whole milk is effective: Its fat content soothes burns and promotes healing. But make sure to rinse your skin and the washcloth in cool water afterward, because the milk will smell.

Keep it clean. A clean burn is a faster-healing burn. After 24 hours, wash the area gently with soap and water or a mild Betadine solution daily, suggests John Gillies, an emergency medical technician and program director for health services at the Colorado Outward Bound School in Denver. Keep the burn dry and clean and covered with a bandage such as a thick gauze pad between washings.

Prep it with Preparation H. No ifs, ands or buts, this hemorrhoid treatment can slice up to 3 days off the usual 7 to 15 days it takes for most burns to heal, says Jerold Z. Kaplan, M.D., medical director of Alta Bates Burn Center in Berkeley, California. Preparation H works because it contains a yeast derivative that helps speed healing. Simply dab a little on the burn and cover with a fresh sterile bandage every day.

Chill out, but not too much. You probably will instinctively reach for cold water to soothe a new burn. But don't make it too cold. Using ice water can risk making the burn even worse, because extreme cold can kill just as many skin cells as extreme heat. (That's why frostbite damage is very similar to the skin damage caused by a bad burn.) Cool, not cold, water will stop the burning from spreading through your tissues and will act as a temporary painkiller. So instead of running to the freezer, head to the kitchen faucet.

When to See the Doctor

How bad is your burn? Do you need medical assistance? To avoid getting burned because of a lack of knowledge about burns, here's how you can gauge.

First-degree burns are painful and red. They occur from sunburn, scalding and other minor accidents. You can usually treat them at home.

Second-degree burns ooze, blister and are painful. They result from severe sunburn or from brief contact with hot oven coils or other household accidents. These may be treated at home if the bum is confined to a small area of surface skin.

Third-degree bums are extremely dangerous--even if they don't hurt (the result of destroyed nerve endings). They leave skin charred and turn it white or cream-colored. Third-degree burns can be caused by fire, chemicals, electricity or any prolonged contact with hot surfaces. For these, you'll need immediate medical help.

Elevate it. One way to help take the sting out of that singe is to position yourself so that the burned area is above the level of your heart, advises Linda Phillips, M.D., assistant professor in the Plastic Surgery Division at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. This helps prevent swelling.

Say aloe. Who doesn't have an aloe plant in his house just for these types of emergencies? This cactuslike member of the lily family is thought to shorten the healing process up to 40 percent--and the coolness of its "juice" brings welcome relief when you have burn pain. Two or three days after the burn, simply open a leaf and smear its liquid directly on the burn, advises D'Anne Kleinsmith, M.D., a cosmetic dermatologist at William Beaumont Hospital near Detroit. Reapply four to six times daily, with or without a bandage covering.

Chow on vitamin C. Consuming more vitamin C aids in the healing process for burns and other wounds, so eating plenty of citrus fruits, potatoes and broccoli is helpful, says Las Vegas orthopedic surgeon Michael Rask, M.D., chairman of the American Academy of Neurological and Orthopedic Surgeons and the American Board of Ringside Medicine and Surgery.

Get vitamins A and E for healing. Vitamins A and E, which are antioxidants, can also speed healing, according to Dr. Rask. Good sources of vitamin A include green fruits and vegetables. Cereals and nuts are high in vitamin E-and you can also apply vitamin E directly to the bum. In fact, many people experience faster healing by rubbing the liquid from a vitamin E capsule on the bum once it begins to heal. It will feel good and may prevent scarring.

And discover the zinc link. For healthier skin after the burn (as well as quicker recovery time), consume plenty of foods rich in zinc, suggests Dr. Rask. Oysters are a great source of zinc. Crabmeat, wheat germ and low-fat dairy products also have a good supply.

Go antibiotic. There are many good over-the-counter antibiotic ointments that help heal burns and prevent infection, adds Dr. Kleinsmith. In choosing one, look for the active ingredients polymyxin B sulfate or bacitracin. Before applying the ointment, though, Dr. Kleinsmith recommends cleaning the wound with hydrogen peroxide if you find soap too abrasive.

Leave the butter for your bread. Forget the old spouses' tale of putting butter on burns. Although milk is soothing, butter and margarine retain heat in tissues and can make the burn worse; plus, that greasy stuff is perfect for breeding infectious bacteria.

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