A burn is tissue damage as a result of high temperature, chemicals, or radiation. This is the most common injury that can occur in everyday life. This is especially true for thermal burns.

There is probably no person who has not been scalded by boiling water or burned by hot oil at least once in his life. Treatment of minor skin burns can be carried out at home; you do not always need to go to the doctor.

Most of these injuries resolve within a few days. But you need to know how to relieve pain, how to speed up healing, and in what cases you still need to seek medical help.

How do people most often get burned?

• Half of all cases are contact with open fire (fires, bonfires, flames in a stove, ignition of gasoline).
• 20% is scalding with boiling water or steam.
• 10% is contact with hot objects.
• 20% - other factors (acids, alkalis, sunburn, electric current).

Every third person burned is a child. Most often (75% of cases) the arms and hands are burned.

What are they?

Because of:

• Thermal.
• Chemical.
• Electrical.
• Radiation.

I and II degrees refer to superficial burns, in which only the upper layer skin - epidermis. When uncomplicated, they heal without leaving scars.

III and IV degrees are deep burns, with damage to all layers of the skin and underlying tissues. They heal with the formation of a rough scar.

What burns can be treated at home?

You can treat at home:

• 1st degree burns in adults, not exceeding 10% of the body area;
• 2nd degree burns not exceeding 1% of the body.

How to determine the degree?

1st degree burn – manifested by swelling, redness of the skin, pain, sensitivity to touch, and there may be small blisters.

Stage 2 is characterized by the addition of large blisters filled with liquid to the above symptoms.

How to determine area?

The easiest way to determine the burn surface area of ​​a home is the palm method. The area of ​​a person's palm is conventionally taken to be 1% of the area of ​​the entire body.

When should you seek medical help immediately?

How to treat burns at home

1. Stop contact with the burning factor. Put out the flames on your clothes and move away from the fire. If you are burned by boiling water, immediately remove clothing in contact with the body. Throw a hot object.
2. Cool the burn surface. It is best to do this under running water at a temperature of 10-18 degrees. You can immerse the limb in a container of water or apply wet wipe. You need to cool for 5 to 10 minutes; in case of a chemical burn, rinse with running water for up to 20 minutes (except for burns quicklime). Cooling has an analgesic effect and also prevents the spread of heating of healthy tissue at the border of the burn.
3. Anesthesia. For severe pain, you can take paracetamol, ibuprofen, ketanov, analgin, and other analgesics.
4. Local treatment. The main goal in the treatment of burns is to protect the surface from germs, relieve pain and speed up the restoration of the damaged layer of skin. They simply use sterile wipes, special wipes for burns, sprays and ointments that promote healing.
5. General treatment. It would be a good idea to take restorative medications and also follow proper diet so that the burn heals faster and without consequences. It is recommended to increase the amount of protein in the diet (meat, fish, dairy products), as well as vegetables and fruits rich in vitamins. Additionally, you can take vitamin C and Aevit. It is recommended to drink more.

Pharmacy drugs

So, you got a burn from boiling water or oil. They cooled it down, assessed that it was small and shallow, its condition was generally satisfactory, and it could be treated at home. It's worth looking into the first aid kit. Those who are prudent and thrifty may at least have a package of sterile wipes and Panthenol.

What can you ask at the pharmacy?

There is no need to buy everything at once; to treat minor burns, sometimes one sterile bandage lightly moistened with an antiseptic and Panthenol is enough. In a healthy person, everything will heal without the use of additional funds. If there are no sterile bandages, you can iron a clean cloth with a hot iron.

How long will it take to heal?

Superficial 1st degree burn injuries heal without consequences in 3-4 days. A slight pigmentation may remain, which will also disappear over time.

Second degree burns with blisters will take longer to heal. The bubble gradually subsides, the liquid resolves. It may happen that the bubble bursts with the formation of erosion; this requires additional treatment with antibacterial ointments Levomekol (130 rub) or Voskopran bandage with levomekol ointment (5 x 75, cm 350 rub, 10x10 cm 1100 rub), Silvacin, Dioxyzol. The bandage needs to be changed every other day. Such a burn heals within 10-12 days, also without scar formation.

If, during the treatment, redness, swelling, pain increases, and purulent discharge from the wound appears, this is evidence of infection and a reason to consult a doctor.

What not to do and why

Folk remedies in treatment

There are many tips for treating burns with folk remedies. You shouldn’t trust them all recklessly. But some of them may be useful if the burn is received far from home and away from the first aid kit, or if a person likes to be treated natural means without “any chemicals”.

Many plants are known to have antiseptic properties. The main principle here is “do no harm.” The safest folk remedies:

• Juice raw potatoes . Grate one medium potato, put the pulp in cheesecloth and apply to the burned area for 10-15 minutes.
• Carrot lotion. Instead of potatoes, raw carrots are grated and used in the same way as in the previous recipe.
• Black or green tea Brew with boiling water, cool to room temperature, soak a napkin in the brew and apply to the burn.
• Calendula ointment. Brew 3 tablespoons of dry calendula with boiling water, let it brew for 15 minutes, strain. Mix the resulting infusion with Vaseline in a ratio of 1:2. Apply 2 times a day to the burned surface. Keep refrigerated.
• Dried linden flowers pour boiling water (1 tablespoon per glass of water). Leave for about an hour, strain. Apply 2-3 times a day until dry.
• Using the same principle, you can prepare a decoction from any herb or mixture of herbs that have an anti-inflammatory effect: chamomile, calendula, sage, string, plantain.

Our whole life is a daily encounter with dangers, all kinds of risks and problems. Pretending to be a wise minnow and hiding from the worries of the outside world in a cozy home is not a solution. Many unforeseen situations can happen to us within the walls of our own apartment: at any moment you can accidentally touch a hot iron, spill a cup of coffee on yourself, or burn your hand with steam over a boiling kettle. What to do if you are burned by boiling water? How to provide first aid to a victim injured by chemicals? In which cases you need to immediately go to the hospital, and in which burns you can get by with improvised means - we will find out in this article.

First aid for burns

A burn occurs as a result of exposure to high temperatures and immediately turns into an open wound, accessible to any microbes. Therefore, the first and most important thing to do is to free the damaged area from clothing and immediately cool the burned area. Ice from the refrigerator, snow, very cold water or any frozen product will do. Thanks to the cold, the pain subsides for a while, as unwanted inflammatory processes in the affected tissues are stopped. After providing first aid, you must carefully examine the burn and assess the location of the skin lesion - further actions depend on the degree of the burn.

Burn degrees

In total, there are 4 degrees of burn, here they are:

• I degree - a mild and safe degree, in which only the upper layer of the dermis remains burned. There is noticeable redness and slight swelling on the skin;
• II degree - in addition to swelling and redness, blisters with cloudy contents appear on the affected area, and severe pain is observed. With proper treatment and emergency care, no traces of burns or scars remain;
• III degree - in this case, not only the surface of the skin remains damaged, but also deeper tissues; the burn can affect the muscles and damage them. Blisters with a cloudy liquid inside form on the burned area. Treating a third degree burn is difficult because there is a high risk of infection. Under no circumstances should treatment be carried out at home.
• IV degree is the most serious and dangerous degree of burn. High temperatures at this stage can damage the bone; skin and muscles may be missing. The most dangerous and difficult areas are the neck, face, inner arms and thighs. Patients tolerate burn injuries to their feet, back and arms (up to the elbow) more easily.

In case of a burn, it is strictly prohibited:

• lubricate the burn area vegetable oil, alcohol-containing drugs, iodine, brilliant green;
• sprinkle with starch;
• apply burn ointment and other medical products to the hot surface of the skin;
• apply fermented milk products to the damaged area;
• pierce or cut through the formed blisters on the skin;
• independently clean the wound from dirt or remnants of clothing;
• wash the burn with water and baking soda or citric acid;
• apply a plaster to the burn.

Treatment of first degree burns

In case of a first degree burn, treatment can be easily done at home. As soon as the first emergency aid has been provided, the cooled surface of the skin should be lubricated with a medicine that will prevent the burn from spreading into the deep layers of the skin and will relieve swelling and pain. These are drugs such as:

• Panthenol - well restores burned mucous membranes and skin, has regenerative and metabolic effects on damaged tissues. The ointment perfectly relieves burning sensation and relieves pain.
• Sulfargin - this ointment with silver ions quickly copes with wounds of a wide variety of nature.
• Levomikol - first, lubricate a gauze bandage with the ointment, and then apply it to the burn site. This bandage needs to be changed every 20 hours - the swelling will gradually subside and the pus will be eliminated.
• Olazol is a spray containing an antiseptic and anesthesin. Thanks to this composition, the drug heals burns faster.

In addition to medications, homemade compresses are also suitable for treating minor first-degree burns:

• 100 grams of finely grated potatoes should be mixed with a teaspoon of honey. Make a compress on a bandage or gauze and leave on the burn site for 2-3 hours;
• finely chop the cabbage and mix it with raw egg white, and then lubricate the burn with the resulting mixture;
• instead of lotions, you can leave cooled black and green tea on the damaged area;
• cut off a juicy aloe leaf, cut it lengthwise and apply to the burned area for a few minutes;
• freshly picked plantain leaves should be washed with boiling water, cooled and applied to the affected area of ​​the skin;
• Place finely grated carrots on gauze or bandage and apply to the burn. The compress should be changed every 2-3 hours.

Treatment of second degree burns

This stage is already considered a fairly serious injury, so assistance is provided first at a trauma center, and then at home. The doctor carefully treats the wound, performing the following algorithm:

• anesthesia of the affected area;
• antiseptic treatment healthy skin next to the burn;
• removing dead skin, dirt and clothing;
• carefully removing the contents of burn blisters with a sterilized instrument. The membrane of the bladder remains intact to protect the wound from bacteria and infections;
• applying a bandage with a special bactericidal ointment to the wound.

Burns of III and IV degrees

The first rule for third and fourth degree burns is no self-medication! Severe burns must be treated in a hospital. There the doctor first carries out anti-shock therapy, surgery(if it is necessary to remove dead tissue and perform a skin graft operation), and then treatment in a hospital.

What to do for burns from boiling water

• Get rid of clothing that is at the burn site as soon as possible.
• Inspect the affected area and determine the extent of damage.
• For a first or second degree burn, apply ice or make a cold compress, change the compress after a few minutes.
• If the burn is severe, go to the hospital immediately.

What to do for steam burns

• Remove clothing blocking access to the affected area of ​​skin.
• Cool the burned surface.
• If the burn is on your arm, it should be kept elevated.
• If damage is more than 5%, go to the emergency room.

What to do for oil burns

• Cool the damaged area under running cold water.
• Apply a sterile, damp bandage to the burn site.
• If the burn is more than 1% (the palm makes up 1% of the whole body), call a doctor.

What to do for chemical burns

• Call an ambulance.
• Remove clothing from the affected area.
• Cool the burn area under running ice water.
• If the burn is caused by sulfuric acid, it must first be removed from the surface of the skin with a dry cloth.
• And if the burn is caused by quicklime, cold water will have the opposite effect! In this case, you need to remove the reagent from the affected area with a dry cloth, and then lubricate the burn with oil or greasy ointment.

In everyday life, cases of getting a burn are not uncommon: this happens when cooking, and while eating, accidentally pouring coffee on yourself, and when using pyrotechnics ineptly, and so on, and so on... Of course, in this case, when it is impossible to endure the pain from burn, we immediately rush to take action and at the same time are at a dead end - what exactly needs to be done to alleviate the condition and prevent the development of possible consequences.

In this article you will learn what methods of providing first aid to burn victims are available.

It must immediately be emphasized that burns of only the first, or maximum second, severity can be treated at home. In case of third and even more so fourth degree burn damage, it is necessary to be treated only in a hospital. To do this, you and I will have to figure out what degrees of severity of burns there are and how to determine them.

Severity of burn injury

First degree burn
The first degree is considered to be redness of the burned skin and swelling with possible appearance small blisters filled with clear liquid.

Second degree
The second degree is characterized by the same redness and swelling of the skin with swollen or burst blisters, as well as the formation of a thin crust.

Third degree
When it penetrates into the tissue and reaches the muscles and bones, a scab is formed. The blisters had burst by that time, but around the deep burn there were small blisters with liquid, as in a second-degree burn, and redness of the skin, as in a first-degree burn.

Fourth degree burn

This degree is most often incompatible with life. As a result of a fourth-degree burn, the burned part of the body is charred, and it is also possible to combine symptoms of all degrees of burn.

Now it is clear why in the first two cases you can cope with home remedies, but in the rest you will have to urgently seek medical help and receive inpatient treatment under the supervision of specialists. The recipes described below are intended specifically for the treatment of burns of the first two degrees.

Treatment at home for burns of 1-2 severity

1. There should always be special creams in the house, just in case, which can be bought at any pharmacy. These are Rescuer, Panthenol, Olazol, Levomekol and others. They contain antiseptic and wound-healing, and most importantly, painkillers. Always have them in your home medicine cabinet- you will not regret.
2. The first thing to do in case of a burn is to place the burned area of ​​skin under running cold water for 10 minutes. The pain will gradually begin to subside. After this, you can apply a weak solution of potassium permanganate or diluted alcohol to the affected skin.
3. The common belief that a burn needs to be lubricated with vegetable oil is incorrect, since oil on the burnt skin creates a film that does not allow air to pass to the burn wound and pulls thermal energy to myself. Exceptions are sea ​​buckthorn oil, St. John's wort oil, vitamin A oil solution and goose fat.
4. There is also an opinion that using ancient folk way - urinate on the burned area of ​​skin- cannot be used because the urine contains toxins that cause inflammation. But, as many years of practice and the experience of many victims show, freshly released urine not only soothes pain, but also relieves inflammation, and quite quickly. It's up to you to believe it or not, but, judging by experience, it shouldn't do any harm - only benefit.
5. An excellent remedy is compresses made from finely grated raw carrots.(it contains vitamin A, which is used in the medical treatment of burns) or grated raw potatoes. It is better to take vegetables from the refrigerator. The top of the mass should be covered with a sterile gauze bandage (not cotton wool!). This compress almost immediately calms the pain and has a healing effect. You need to change the compress as it warms up.
6. You can use regular tea soda and make a solution - 1 tablespoon per 1 glass of water. Periodically moisten the sore spot with this solution.
7. Take vitamin E in any form to prevent scarring.

Remember that you cannot open blisters yourself!

Content

Every person has experienced burns at least once in their life. You can even get them at home by spilling boiling water on yourself or accidentally touching the iron. As a result of high temperatures, the skin becomes red and blisters. Damage may vary depending on the duration of contact with a hot object and the area of ​​the source. When more than 15% of the body is affected, a person requires medical attention in a hospital. Less severe burns can be treated at home.

What is a burn

This is a violation of the integrity of the skin and mucous membranes under the influence of high temperature, electric current or chemically aggressive substances. At home, women often receive such injuries while cooking or ironing clothes. Children, due to their curiosity, often get burned by boiling water. Regardless of the cause, the burn is divided into several degrees:

• first– redness of the skin, which may become swollen;
• second– the appearance of blisters with liquid (blood plasma) inside;
• third– formation of necrotic areas on the skin;
• fourth– necrosis of the skin, muscles and bones.

Only the first two degrees can be treated at home. When skin necrosis develops, you should consult a doctor. Depending on the cause, burns are divided into several types:

• chemical– occur in close contact with chemicals;
• electric– are a consequence of the action of lightning and electrical appliances;
• thermal (thermal)– formed after contact of human skin with steam, fire, hot liquids or objects;
• radial– appear when exposed to ultraviolet radiation for a long time in a solarium or in the sun.

Treatment of burns

How and with what to treat a burn depends on the type and degree of skin injury. If the damage covers a significant area of ​​the skin and numerous blisters appear, you should consult a doctor. In other cases, it is possible to treat burn wounds at home. After stopping contact with the source of high temperature, you need to calm down and take action, because further tissue healing depends on first aid.

The next step is to cool the damaged area under cold water. You can also use saline solution. The main thing is that the stream of water should not be too cold, so as not to get shocked by a sudden change in temperature. Instructions for further actions:

• You should immediately remove tight clothes and jewelry;
• instead of cold water, you can use a compress from an ice pack wrapped in a towel;
• if pain occurs, then you need to take a painkiller, for example, Aspirin or Ibuprofen;
• before touching the wound, you need to wash your hands with soap;
• During treatment, follow a high-protein diet with cottage cheese, cheese, chicken and eggs.

Treatment of thermal burns at home

After receiving an injury, it is important to monitor the location of the injury: whether the color of the wound changes to black, brown or red, and whether a greenish tint appears inside it. Slow healing may indicate infection and complications. Self-medication in this case is unacceptable. Mandatory hospitalization is required for the following symptoms:

• rough skin or softening of the skin in the wound area;
• the source of damage becomes warm;
• temperature rise to 39 or drop (below 36.5 degrees).

In the absence of such signs, the wound can be treated at home. First, first aid is provided, and then they begin to use burn remedies in the form of ointments, creams, and aerosols. Treatment is aimed at healing and disinfecting the injury site. At correct processing blisters manage to avoid suppuration and inflammation. The resulting bubbles will burst on their own and dry out in 1-2 weeks.

First aid

Proper first aid for burns at home helps to minimize complications and alleviate the condition of the victim. The main condition is the absence of panic, because only a calm and collected person can correctly provide first aid. It is as follows:

1. Stop the victim's contact with the source of high temperature. If this is an electric current, then you cannot touch the person with your hands; for this you need to use an insulated object. When, after cessation of contact with the source, the remaining heat or chemicals continue to destroy the tissue (i.e., the affected area increases), apply ice, snow, or expose the wound to cold water for 10-15 minutes.
2. If the victim experiences severe pain, then give him a painkiller: Ketanov, Ibuprofen, Aspirin.
3. Rinse the burned area with cold water or a weak solution of manganese. If the skin is damaged by alkali, treat the wound with a few drops of citric acid; if damaged by acid, treat the wound with soapy water.
4. Apply a sterile gauze bandage made of a special material, for example, Diosept or Combixin.

How to anoint a burn

Treatment of burn wounds at home in the first couple of hours is carried out using a spray.

Further treatment of the wound is carried out:

• Olazol - it is especially effective if you have been burned by steam or boiling water;
• Betadine ointment - if you are injured from a hot iron, this remedy prevents infection of the wound.

The anti-burn agent should not only help restore the skin, but also relieve the pain that sometimes accompanies such an injury. Fastin ointment has an analgesic effect. It is used until the wound is completely healed. Additionally, you can make bandages with Methyluracil, which promotes cell regeneration. Restore skin Solcoseryl ointment helps. Balm Rescuer is used on early stage for minor burns of the hand or finger.

Home remedy for burns

For thermal burns, Levomekol ointment is often used. It has wound healing and bactericidal properties. Additionally, this ointment has an analgesic effect, which helps facilitate the wound healing process. As an alternative to this drug, Vishnevsky ointment is often used; it also has an antimicrobial effect. A gauze bandage that is applied to the burned area can be moistened with an antiseptic solution:

• Chlorhexidine;
• Furacilin;
• St. John's wort decoction.

Creams are used already at the stage of skin restoration and to prevent the formation of scars. When contact with the skin causes pain, it is worth using anti-burn agents in the form of sprays. They are sprayed directly onto the damaged area. Another form of release of anti-burn agents is gels, for example:

• "Apollo"
• "No burns."

Medications

Helps treat burned skin different means. They differ not only in the form of release, but also in their therapeutic effect. Among the popular antiseptic, wound-healing and disinfecting drugs are:

• Betadine– antiseptic drug for wide use;
• Karipazim– breaks down necrotic tissues, softens viscous secretions;
• Solcoseryl– stimulates regeneration processes;
• Amprovisol– exhibits analgesic, antiseptic, wound healing, anti-inflammatory properties;
• Levomekol– antimicrobial ointment, effective even in the presence of necrotic masses and purulent discharge;
• Inflarax– ointment with a wide spectrum of antimicrobial action;

Some drugs disinfect, others prevent inflammation, and others help skin cells recover faster. All of them are intended for external use. The following are considered especially effective:

1. Inflarax. Contains amikacin, benzalkonium chloride, lidocaine. Shows analgesic, anti-edematous, anti-inflammatory effects. Used for the treatment of purulent-inflammatory skin diseases and for the prevention of suppuration of burn wounds. The ointment is applied 1-2 times a day in a thin layer to the affected areas. Another way to use it is to soak gauze bandages in it, which are then applied to the wound. The only possible adverse reaction is allergy. Contraindications: psoriasis, fungal infections skin, eczema, age less than 2 years. The advantage is that the therapeutic activity lasts for 20-24 hours.
2. Levomekol. Contains dioxomethyltetrahydropyrimidine and the antibiotic chloramphenicol. Has dehydrating and antimicrobial effects. Indications for use: healing of wounds and bedsores, boils, hemorrhoids, calluses, herpes, purulent acne. A napkin or gauze should be soaked in ointment and applied to the affected area. The course of treatment is 4 days. The dressing is changed up to 4-5 times a day. Contraindications: psoriasis, eczema, skin fungus. Side effects: local swelling, dermatitis, burning, hyperemia, urticaria.
3. Karipazim. Based on the milky juice of papaya. Shows necrolytic properties. Helps treat third degree burn wounds and speed up the shedding of scabs. The contents of the bottle are diluted in 10 ml of 0.5% novocaine solution or 0.9% sodium chloride solution. A napkin is moistened in the product and placed on the burn surface. The dressing is changed once a day. The course of treatment is 4-12 days. Contraindications: lactation, pregnancy, sequestration of disc herniation. Advantage - absence side effects. Sometimes only allergies are possible.

How to relieve pain

With a first-degree burn, the pain is searing, the second is more pronounced and piercing, the third and fourth are the most severe and sometimes even unbearable. In the last two cases, you need to see a doctor. For first and second degree burns, it is necessary to use special external means to relieve pain, since Panthenol does not contain pain-relieving components. Instead, you can choose the following drugs:

1. Radevit. Contains retinol, ergocalciferol and tocopherol. Has anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties. Used to treat ulcers, seborrheic dermatitis, ichthyosis, eczema, burn wounds. The ointment is applied 2 times a day in a thin layer to the affected area. The advantage is the absence of side effects. Contraindications: hypervitaminosis A, E, D, prescription of retinoids.
2. Sulfargin. The base is silver sulfadiazine. Has bactericidal and analgesic effects. Sulfargin treats infected burn wounds, abrasions, bedsores, and skin ulcers. It is used externally - apply a thin layer to the damaged surface 1-2 times a day. After the procedure, itching and burning in the area of ​​use is possible. Contraindications include lactation, pregnancy, sensitivity to sulfonamides, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency. The advantage is that it can be used for children from 1 year old.
3. Olazol. Contains benzocaine, boric acid, chloramphenicol, sea buckthorn oil. It exhibits antibacterial and local anesthetic effects. Helps treat burn wounds. Apply up to 4 times a day. Apply foam from a container to the cleaned surface in an even layer. Contraindicated in case of renal impairment, lactation, pregnancy. Side effects: cramps, nausea, headache, confusion, diarrhea. The advantage is a quick pain-relieving effect.

How to treat a chemical burn at home

Damage to the skin caused by chemicals is more dangerous than thermal burns. Do not wash the damaged surface with water. If the burn is caused by acid, use soda or ammonia solution diluted with water; if the burn is caused by alkali, use diluted vinegar or citric acid. The following recipes will help treat damaged skin in the future:

1. Grind fresh burdock or plantain leaves. Place the resulting pulp on the burn wound and place a gauze bandage on top. Repeat up to 2-3 times a day.
2. Wash half the pumpkin and puree in a blender. Squeeze out the juice through gauze and apply to the damaged area several times a day.
3. Peel one potato and grate it. Apply the paste to the wound for 40-50 minutes. If the skin continues to “burn,” grate another potato and apply it to the burn again.

How to anoint a child’s burn at home

First aid for a burn in a child has the same principles as measures for adults. Only after cooling under cool water should you apply a damp diaper to the damaged area. If the wound is open, then you need to cover the burn surface with a moistened linen or cotton cloth. If the burn surface is extensive, you should immediately call an ambulance before providing first aid. Children should not be given medications without a doctor's prescription. For external remedies, it is worth using sprays with an analgesic effect, such as:

1. Dermazin. Contains silver sulfadiazine. The main effect of the cream is antimicrobial. Additionally, the product reduces pain and discomfort in the area of ​​application. Dermazin helps treat burn infections, trophic ulcers and wounds of various etiologies. You need to apply the cream 1-2 times a day with a layer of up to 4 mm on the damaged surface. Treatment is continued until the wound is completely healed. Local side effects include itching and burning. The advantage is that it can be used from 2 months of age. Contraindications: premature babies, sensitivity to the composition of Dermazin.

Folk remedies

Treatment of burns with folk remedies at home is carried out different ways. The main condition is that the lesion is not extensive, but there are only redness or blisters that do not cause discomfort (first or second degree burn). Self-medication with folk remedies for severe injuries is life-threatening. Effective against minor burn wounds are:

1. St. John's wort oil. Take 2 tbsp. St. John's wort flowers. Mix them with 200 ml of sunflower oil. Infuse the product for 21 days. You need to lubricate your skin with oil up to 2 times a day.
2. Aloe. Cut a leaf of this plant in half, grate it, apply it to the wound and bandage it. The lotion is left for a couple of hours. Repeat the procedure 2 more times per day.
3. Compresses with soda. It is taken in the amount of 1 tsp. per glass of water. You need to moisten gauze in the solution, which you then apply to the damaged area. The compress is left until the pain subsides.

What not to do for burns

Many traditional first aid methods for burns are not only ineffective, but also dangerous, since they can only worsen the condition. In case of such damage, you should not do the following:

• lubricate the wound with vegetable oil;
• puncture blisters;
• use alcohol, iodine, brilliant green or urine to lubricate the wound;
• clean the damaged area from remnants of clothing;
• cover the wound with a plaster (it blocks the access of oxygen to the skin), apply a tight bandage;
• Use tea leaves to wash the damaged area.

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Traumatic damage to the skin as a result of exposure to high temperatures or contact with chemicals leads to burns. Almost every person has had personal experience with burns that were of varying degrees and appeared due to prolonged exposure to the sun, failure to comply with safety precautions with electrical appliances, or due to negligence, which is more typical for children.

Minor burns can be treated at home using: traditional methods, and to pharmacy over-the-counter drugs. It is important to remember that only 1st or 2nd degree burns can be treated at home. If the burn injuries are severe enough or have damaged most of the skin, then treatment at home is not acceptable and can not only harm a person’s health, but also lead to serious consequences. Let us briefly consider the main types and degrees of burns, as well as first aid and remedies that will help restore skin after a burn at home.

Recipes traditional medicine and medications for the treatment of burns that will be mentioned in this article can only be used for minor burns (1st and 2nd degree) of the skin. If there is a burn to the respiratory tract, mucous membranes, or the percentage of burn damage occupies more than 40% of the skin and is stage 3 or higher, then the only way out is to immediately consult a doctor or call emergency medical care.

Types of burns

You can get a burn in several ways, which is why there are several types of burn injuries to the skin.

• Thermal (thermal) burns - appear as a result of exposure of human skin to fire, steam, hot liquids or objects.
• Electrical burns—occur from contact with electrical appliances or lightning.
• Chemical burns are close contact with chemicals that have local irritant properties.
• Radiation burns - appear after prolonged contact with ultraviolet rays(sun rays, solarium).

Regardless of the origin of the burn, when the injury occurs, a violation of the integrity and irritation of the skin occurs, which causes severe pain in the person, redness of the skin in the area of ​​​​the injury, followed by the formation of blisters (2nd degree).

Degrees of burns

There are many reasons that can cause a skin burn, but before you begin treatment, you need to determine how severe the burn is. All burns, regardless of the cause of their occurrence, are divided into first, second and third degree burns.

First degree burn

Minor damage to the skin due to high temperatures is classified as first degree burns. Such a burn on the skin only causes redness and painful sensation. A first-degree burn does not require hospitalization and can be successfully treated at home.

Second degree burn

Second degree burns penetrate deeper into the skin. This type of burn injury is characterized not only by redness of the skin, but also by the appearance of blisters, which are filled with clear liquid inside. Most often, 2nd degree burns occur when scalded with boiling water, prolonged exposure to the sun, or contact with chemicals. If a 2nd degree burn is extensive, then a large loss of fluid occurs in the human body.

After such burns, scars may remain on the skin. Important: If a 2nd degree burn is larger in area than a person’s palm or is on the face, you should definitely see a doctor, this will help avoid cosmetic problems in the future. Treatment of 2nd degree burns is carried out at home and is successfully treated pharmaceutical drugs in combination with traditional medicine.

Third degree burn

Third degree burns are quite dangerous. When they are received, the skin is destroyed, subcutaneous tissues and nerve endings are affected. Such burns can result from contact with chemicals, oily substances, from electrical appliances or lightning. The condition of a victim with 3rd degree burns can be either moderate or severe. Treatment is only inpatient. Usually, after receiving third degree burns, a person needs skin grafts.

In the case when the burn damages 20% - 40% of a person’s skin, the injuries are deep, and there is a malfunction internal organs, the victim’s condition is serious, then it makes sense to talk about 4th degree burns, which often end in death.

First aid for burns

After receiving a burn, it is considered important to provide first aid to the victim, which will help greatly minimize the consequences and alleviate the person’s condition. It is important to remember that further treatment and the recovery process often depend on how first aid is provided. Therefore, it is very important to behave correctly when getting a burn. One of the most important things when providing first aid for burns is calmness and lack of panic. Only a “collected” and self-confident person can carry out pre-medical medical events. So, first aid for burns consists of the following:

1. As quickly as possible, stop contact of the injured person with the source of high temperatures. If a person is under electrical current, then you should not touch the person or the source itself. You need to use any insulated object and eliminate the current. In the event that, after cessation of contact with high temperature further tissue destruction occurs, it is necessary to apply cold (ice, snow, cold water) to the burned surface, but for no more than 10 - 15 minutes.

2. Considering that the injured person feels severe pain, you can give any painkiller, anti-inflammatory drug (Ibuprofen, Ketanov and others).

3. After anesthesia, the damaged area of ​​skin must be treated and a sterile gauze bandage applied. A good result can be obtained by using special dressings “Combixin” or “Diosept”, which can be used for burns of varying degrees.

4. Handle chemical or thermal burns Can be done with running water. Burns with alkali - a weak solution of citric acid. If a person has received a chemical burn to the skin, treatment at home is carried out depending on the substance that caused the damage to the skin.

Chemical burns usually require professional treatment. health care, but if the burn is minor, you can rinse with a strong stream of cold water. In the case where the burn is caused by quicklime, it is strictly forbidden to cool the surface of the body with water, since such substances upon contact with water have the opposite effect and burn the skin even more. Also when providing first aid after chemical burn It is prohibited to independently use any external medications. Since the reaction of a chemical substance in combination with a medicinal composition can be very different and not always favorable.

If you receive severe burns, after providing first aid, you must wait for the ambulance to arrive and be sure to tell the duty team about your actions. If the burns are minor and the face or mucous membranes are not damaged, then you can do without the help of a doctor. The exception is children.

What not to do for burns

Incorrect or untimely first aid for burns can lead to complications that will affect the treatment process and increase the recovery period. In case of burns, it is strictly prohibited:

• lubricate the skin after burns with vegetable oil;
• use products containing alcohol;
• open the blisters yourself;
• clean the wound from remnants of clothing;
• use urine.

For burns, it is recommended to apply cold to the damaged area, but remember that for no more than 10 - 15 minutes. If the amount of time is increased, death of nerve endings may occur, followed by the development of skin necrosis.

Complications after burns

Minor skin burns do not cause any complications, but if a blister appears at the site of the injury, which indicates a 2nd degree burn, there is a risk of infection, followed by suppuration and inflammation of the blister. The presence of an inflammatory process can cause increased body temperature, general weakness of the body and other ailments. After the burn suppurates, a scar or scar may remain on the damaged area.

With 3rd degree burns, complications are much more serious and can negatively affect the functioning of internal organs and systems.

Pharmaceutical preparations for skin burns

The main thing in the treatment of burns is to reduce pain syndrome, accelerate healing and disinfection of the skin. The pharmaceutical industry provides a large number of medications for the treatment of 1st and 2nd degree burns. Such medications are available in the form of an ointment, cream or aerosol for external use. Each of the medications for the treatment of burns has a different composition and mechanism of action, so before using any remedy, you need to read the instructions for the medication or consult a doctor. Let's look at the most effective medications for burns, which have an antiseptic, wound-healing, and regenerating effect.

• Betadine is an antimicrobial drug that contains povidone - iodine. Widely used to treat 1st and 2nd degree burns. Apply the ointment to the skin in a thin layer 2 – 3 times a day.
• Levomekol is an effective drug that has bactericidal and analgesic properties. The use of Levomekol for burns allows you to relieve pain, speed up healing, and quickly restore the skin after burns.
• Solcoseryl is a biogenic regeneration stimulator often used for skin burns. Apply to the skin 1 – 2 times a day, only after the burn wound stops getting wet.
• Panthenol is a popular remedy for burns, which contains dexpanthenol and B vitamins. The use of Panthenol improves tissue regeneration and has an anti-inflammatory effect. Apply in the form of an aerosol or cream. This drug should always be in your home medicine cabinet, especially in a home where there are children.
• Amprovisol is an aerosol. A combined drug for the treatment of burns, which contains propolis, anesthesin, menthol and vitamin D. This drug has anti-burn, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, analgesic and cooling effects, and accelerates skin healing. Recommended for use in thermal and sunburn 1st or 2nd degree.

• Olazol is a wound-healing, anti-burn agent. The product contains sea buckthorn oil. Available in aerosol form for topical use. It has an anesthetic and antibacterial effect, reduces exudation, and accelerates the process of epithelization of wounds.
• Karipazim is a herbal preparation that has a wide range of indications, including use for burns. The drug contains vitamin complexes, amino acids, carbohydrates and other substances. The use of Karipazim - treatment for burns allows you to relieve inflammation, speed up healing, and restore the skin after injury. Available in bottles. Karipazim can be used to treat 2nd degree burns at home, but before use you need to read the instructions for the drug.