How to Treat Burns with Honey

Various types of honey are renowned for their healing properties, and humans have been using honey for centuries to treat wounds. Medicinal honeys like Manuka possess natural antibacterial qualities, as well as moisturizing effects that aid in faster healing. This unique feature makes honey an excellent natural remedy for burns. For minor burns, you can apply honey directly to soothe the skin. For more severe burns, it’s best to consult a doctor first, and then use honey during the recovery process.

Quickly assess the severity of the burn. Honey should only be used for minor burns, which are classified as first-degree burns. First-degree burns affect the outer layer of the skin, causing redness, discomfort, and mild swelling. The skin is not broken or bleeding. Remember to self-treat only if the burn is a minor, first-degree burn.

• Second-degree burns cause more pain, with blisters and deeper redness. The skin may be broken or bleeding.
• Third-degree burns damage the outer skin layer, which may turn white or black. The area may be numb.
• Seek immediate medical attention for second-degree and third-degree burns, as these are serious injuries.

Turn on cool water to run over the minor first-degree burn. It's important to cool the burn as quickly as possible by holding it under running cool water. Continue cooling the burn for about 5 minutes, then gently pat it dry.

• Always use cool water to treat burns, never cold water. Do not apply ice to the burn, as overly cold water could cause further damage to the skin.
• Avoid wiping the burn with a cloth as it will cause pain. Instead, gently blot the affected area.
• Do not apply honey to second or third-degree burns. These burns require immediate medical attention.

Apply Manuka honey to the burn area. Manuka honey, a type of medicinal honey, is especially well-known for its healing properties. This honey is the best for treating burns. Pour 15-30 ml of Manuka honey over the entire burn area and the surrounding healthy skin.

• Manuka honey is available at large supermarkets and health stores. If you can't find it in stores, it can be conveniently purchased online.
• Other medicinal honey types, such as Leptospermum Active Honey (ALH), can be used in place of Manuka honey.
• If medicinal honey is unavailable, pure, unfiltered organic honey can also be an effective alternative. Avoid using regular store-bought honey as it may contain additives or chemicals.
• If you prefer to avoid honey spillage, you can apply the honey onto gauze and place it on the burn rather than applying it directly to the skin.

Cover the burn with sterile gauze to prevent honey from dripping off. Use clean, dry gauze or non-stick medical gauze. Wrap it around the burned area, ensuring the honey stays in place.

• Secure the gauze with medical tape, making sure the adhesive doesn't touch the burn, as this could cause pain when removing the tape.
• If you used gauze soaked with honey rather than directly applying honey to the burn, you can place another layer of dry gauze on top to prevent it from sticking to anything.

Change the bandage daily until the wound heals. Depending on the severity, a burn may take anywhere from 1 to 4 weeks to heal. Be sure to change the bandage every day and reapply honey to keep the burn area moisturized and protect against infection. Once the wound is fully healed, you can stop treatment.

• If any signs of infection occur at any point, see a doctor immediately.
• If you no longer wish to use honey, you can stop at any time. You may switch to an antibacterial cream to help prevent infection.

Wash your hands before removing the bandage. It’s essential to ensure your hands are clean before changing the bandage on the burn to avoid any risk of infection.

• If someone else is helping you with the bandage change, make sure they have also washed their hands thoroughly.
• This treatment can be applied to second- and third-degree burns during the recovery process after receiving medical care. Do not apply honey before a doctor has examined the severe burns.

Gently remove the bandage. Peel off the tape used to secure the gauze, then carefully remove the gauze. Do not pull it off quickly as it will be very painful. Take your time and slowly remove the gauze. The honey may loosen and slide off the skin more easily, making the bandage removal process less difficult.

• If the gauze sticks to the skin, you can soak the area in cool water for about 5 minutes to loosen it.
• Avoid pulling off any skin that may be peeling to prevent further skin irritation.

Rinse off any remaining honey with cool water. If there’s still honey on your skin, let cool tap water run over the affected area for a few minutes. The remaining honey will easily wash away. Gently pat the skin dry with a soft towel after rinsing.

• Do not scrub your skin to remove the honey. Scrubbing can cause pain and increase the risk of infection. Let any remaining honey stay on the skin if it doesn’t easily come off.

Check the burn for signs of infection. While honey is a natural antibacterial, the burn can still become infected. Before covering the wound again, it’s important to check for any signs of infection. If you notice any of the following, consult a doctor for a thorough examination of the wound.

• Pus or discharge
• Swollen blisters with any substance inside them (avoid touching blisters)
• Red streaks radiating from the wound
• Fever

Apply more honey to the burn area. Use the same type and amount of honey you applied initially. Pour the honey over the burn and the surrounding skin.

Apply a new bandage. Use sterile or non-stick gauze to cover the entire burn area. Wrap it around the wound and secure it with medical tape if necessary.

Seek immediate medical attention for severe burns. If you have second- or third-degree burns, seek medical care immediately. Go to the nearest emergency room or call emergency services for assistance.

• You should also go to the emergency room if you have wrinkled skin or blackened, brown, or white patches of burned skin.
• Additionally, if the burns affect your lungs, throat, face, hands, feet, groin, buttocks, or major joints, you should go to the emergency room or call for emergency help.
• For second-degree burns, it’s still important to cool the burn with running cold water for 15 minutes or until the paramedics arrive.

Go to the emergency room immediately for electrical or chemical burns. All electrical and chemical burns require prompt medical attention. These burns may require special treatments or wound-cleansing procedures.

• Chemical burns should be rinsed under cool running water for at least 5 minutes and then followed by immediate medical care.
• Consult a doctor before applying honey to a chemical burn as these burns can react differently.

Call a doctor if you notice signs of infection. Even after proper treatment, burns can still become infected. Make an appointment with a doctor or visit the emergency room if you experience any signs of infection, such as:

• Pus or drainage from the burn
• Increased pain, redness, or swelling around the burn
• Fever

If a mild burn hasn’t healed after two weeks, you should consult a doctor. For first-degree or second-degree burns, healing typically occurs within this time. However, if the burn shows no improvement or doesn’t significantly heal after two weeks, it's time to schedule a doctor's appointment to investigate the cause.

Get medical attention if your burn leads to severe scarring. Most minor burns will heal without leaving visible scars. However, if large scars or keloids appear once the burn has healed, inform your doctor. They will determine the cause of the scarring and suggest possible treatments. Common methods for treating burn scars include:

• Applying silicone gel
• Protecting the scar from sunlight
• Using laser therapy or steroid injections to alleviate pain, minimize scar size, and lighten scars
• Surgical removal of large scars

• Remember that studies have used raw, unprocessed honey in their experiments, so the effectiveness of processed honey for burn healing might not be as reliable. Processed honey could also cause additional irritation due to its additives and chemicals. It's recommended to use raw medicinal honey, such as Manuka honey, for healing burns.

• Avoid attempting to remove burned clothing or any material stuck to second-degree or third-degree burns, as this could cause further skin damage. Allow medical professionals to safely remove the clothing for you.
• Never apply butter, margarine, or any type of oil to a burn. These home remedies might make the injury worse, even though they are commonly used.
• Do not use anything other than water to cool the burn. Ice is too cold and may cause further damage to the skin.