Buzz
Burns are a common form of skin injury that can cause intense pain. Aloe vera can be used to treat minor first and second-degree burns. Before applying aloe vera, clean the wound and assess the extent of the burn. You can apply aloe vera for mild burns, but seek medical attention for severe burns, burns that are at risk of infection, or those that do not heal.
Steps to Follow
First Aid for Burns
Move Away from the Source of the Burn. Immediately distance yourself from the source of the burn. If the burn is from an electrical device, turn off the device and move away from it. In the case of a chemical burn, leave the area where the chemical has spilled as quickly as possible. If it is a sunburn, avoid further exposure to the sun right away.
- If clothing is contaminated with chemicals or is on fire, carefully remove it to avoid further injury. Do not tear off the clothing if the fabric is stuck to the burned skin; call emergency services or seek urgent medical care immediately.
Determine the severity of the burn. There are three levels of burns. Before treating a burn, it's important to recognize the difference between them. A first-degree burn only affects the outermost layer of the skin, often appearing red, and can be painful and dry when touched. A second-degree burn goes deeper into the skin layers, appearing 'wet' or discolored, often with white blisters, and is quite painful. A third-degree burn impacts all layers of the skin, sometimes affecting surrounding tissue. These burns may appear dry, tough, and can be black, white, brown, or yellow at the burn site. Third-degree burns are often swollen and extremely serious, though they may be less painful than milder burns since nerve endings may be damaged.
- Only continue self-treatment if you are sure the burn is a first-degree or mild burn. This treatment method is not recommended for other cases unless approved by a doctor.
- Never use aloe vera on third-degree burns or open wounds. Aloe vera does not help the wound dry out, which can hinder the healing process.
Cool the burn. After assessing the wound and ensuring there are no immediate dangers, you can begin cooling the burn. This step helps draw heat out of the injury and soothes the skin before applying aloe vera. Allow cool water to flow over the burn for 10-15 minutes right after the injury occurs.
- If you cannot use a faucet or shower, dip a clean cloth in cool water and apply it to the burn for 20 minutes. Replace the cloth with a new one when it warms up.
- If possible, immerse the burned area in cool water for at least 5 minutes. You can do this by soaking the area in a sink or basin of cool water.
Clean the wound. After cooling the burn, you need to clean it. Rub soap between your hands and gently apply it to the burn area to wash it clean. Rinse with cool water to remove any soap residue. Gently pat dry with a towel.
- Do not rub the burn if this action causes irritation or if the skin is torn, blistered, or sensitive.
Treating Burns with Aloe Vera
Cut aloe vera leaves from the plant. You can use fresh aloe vera if you have a plant at home or if there’s aloe vera nearby where you got burned. Cut a few thick leaves from near the base of the plant and remove the thorns to avoid pricking yourself. Use a knife to slice down the center of each leaf, then scrape out the aloe vera gel and place it in a bowl.
- Continue until you have enough aloe vera gel to cover the entire burn.
Advice: Aloe Vera is very easy to grow. It can thrive indoors in almost any climate and can also survive outdoors in warmer climates. Water the plant every two days, but be careful not to overwater it. Aloe Vera's side shoots can be easily propagated into new plants.
Use aloe vera from the store. If you don't have an aloe vera plant available, you can use aloe vera gel or cream. These products are sold at most pharmacies and supermarkets. When buying aloe vera cream or gel, choose a product that is 100% pure or as close to it as possible. The aloe vera content in these products can vary, so opt for the one with the highest aloe vera concentration.
- Check the product ingredients. Some products labeled as "made from pure aloe vera gel" may only contain 10% aloe vera.
Apply a generous amount of aloe vera to the burn. Take a generous amount of fresh aloe vera or aloe vera gel in your palm and gently rub it onto the burned skin. Do not rub harshly. Apply 2-3 times a day until the pain and burning sensation subside.
- After applying aloe vera, cover the burn only if it might be rubbed or hurt without a protective layer. In such cases, use a clean bandage or gauze that won't stick when removed.
Take an aloe vera bath. If you'd prefer a different remedy than simply applying aloe vera gel, you can soak in an aloe vera bath. Boil a few aloe vera leaves in water if you have fresh aloe vera. Remove the leaves and pour the aloe vera-infused water (which may have turned brown) into the bathtub. If you're using aloe vera gel, add a large amount to the water as the tub fills. Soak in the warm aloe vera water for about 20 minutes to soothe the burn.
- There are bubble bath products containing aloe vera, but these are not recommended for burn victims as they may contain chemicals that dry out the skin instead of moisturizing it.
When to seek medical attention
See a doctor if the burn is extensive and severe, or if the burn is in a sensitive area. These types of burns require professional medical care. The injury might become infected or leave a scar if you attempt to treat it yourself. In general, you should seek medical attention for the following situations:
- Burns on the face, hands, feet, genital area, or joints.
- Burns larger than 5 cm in size.
- Third-degree burns.
Advice: If you’re unsure whether the burn is first-degree or second-degree, it's best to call a doctor. If you believe the burn isn't first-degree, seek medical attention. Second-degree and third-degree burns can be life-threatening if not properly treated.
Seek medical care if the burn shows signs of infection or scarring. Burns can become infected even if treated. Fortunately, a doctor can prescribe medication to treat the infection, such as antibiotics or medicated creams. Signs of infection include:
- Pus draining from the burn
- Redness around the burn area
- Swelling
- Increased pain
- Formation of scars
- Fever
See a doctor if the burn doesn’t improve after a week. Burns can take several weeks to fully heal, but you should see improvement after about a week if treated with home remedies. If the burn isn’t getting better, you may need professional medical care. A doctor can assess the wound and recommend additional treatments.
- Track the progress of the burn by taking photos or measuring it daily.
Advice
- You should also seek medical care if the burn is large or located on the face.
- Sunburns can remain sensitive to sunlight even after healing. It's important to use sunscreen regularly for six months following the burn to prevent further skin discoloration and damage.
- Never apply sunburned aloe vera gel or leaves to sunburns, as it may cause rashes and small blisters, making the pain worse. If you've accidentally used sunburned aloe vera leaves and are developing a rash, find healthy aloe vera leaves to use for healing both the sunburn and the rash. You can search online for signs of sunburn in aloe vera or how to identify healthy aloe vera plants.
- Avoid applying home remedies like butter, flour, oil, onions, toothpaste, or moisturizing lotions to burns. These can worsen the injury.
- See a doctor immediately if you suspect the burn is worse than first-degree. Severe burns require professional treatment and cannot be treated at home.
- Second-degree burns with blood-filled blisters can become third-degree burns and require medical treatment.
- Take ibuprofen or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce swelling in the tissues and relieve pain.
- Never apply ice directly to a burn. The cold temperature can cause further damage to the skin.
