In this article, I will discuss the quick and immediate steps you must take as soon as you have been burned. No, I do not mean by something else other than Hot Water, Fire, or electricity.
I agree; this article depicts the desperation I am currently faced with — trying to revive my blog. However, I recently got burned by porridge — an experience that was a first.
Luckily, my housemate was around to help me navigate the do’s and don’ts immediately after being burnt.
i.e. Warning!
Please note that this article is specifically for those experiencing first or second-degree burns or minor burns. Other than that (i.e. if a third-degree burn), please go to the emergency unit!
1. Rinse the burn under cool water.
So, you have felt the sting and are on the verge of freaking out. Your hand (or whichever area it is you have burned) is burning yet in a numbingly painful manner.
In an instant, you are reminded of this article. ‘Rinse hand under some cool running water.’
Make sure the Water is not too cold or too warm. It must be a cool temperature. Hold the burned area under water for no less than 10 minutes.
2. Cover the Burned site up with some sugar.
The water did indeed numb the pain because after taking your hand off from under it, you are beginning to feel a higher level of stinging.
Yeah, it will sting for a good 10–15 minutes. You could take some painkillers right now; however, I did not and could tolerate and breathe through the pain.
My housemate mentioned that adding sugar on top of a fresh wound greatly helps the healing process. No, I am unsure of the science behind the claim, but it works.
Do not believe me? Just look it up.
3. Cover up the Sugar’d burn with plaster.
Now it’s time to accelerate the unperceived healing power of sugar and protect your burn from pathogens by covering it up with some plaster.
Low Quality, not-so-adhesive plaster is the worst. Make sure you try to purchase one that is slightly larger than average and super adhesive.
Do not tighten it too much; you want to give your wound space to breathe.
4. Remove or do not remove your plaster whilst showering.
One of the headaches you are not helped with is deciding on whether to keep your plaster on or off whilst showering.
Initially, I had a hard time removing it, mainly because it was still fresh and…hurt whenever anything trickled over it. Nonetheless, three days later, I could remove the plaster before my shower time.
I do not like wet plaster.
It might be completely okay to keep it on — I am not entirely sure. However, I would recommend removing it once it begins to heal slightly.
I must mention that it depends on the burn site. Mines was on the side of my left hand, so I could easily maneuver my way out of complicated water & soap situations. However, you may not be so … (I can’t use the word lucky because getting burned either way, irrespective of the site, is not great.)
5. Replace the plaster twice a day.
I am about to expose myself right now but —
It is entirely understandable how tempting it may be to keep on that one fresh plaster you put on immediately after your shower, but it’s unhygienic and shouldn’t be encouraged.
That may be all right and safe to do after four-five days whilst your burn is on its way to completely healing.
Nonetheless, please replace your plaster twice a day– so you can at least prevent any infections. Thanks!
6. Go to the Pharmacy and get some burn cream (cream specially catered to irritated or burned skin).
Lastly, I was instructed by a pharmacist not to let my recovery routine consist of nothing but plaster and sugar. (Oh, on the second-third day, sugar should no longer be a requirement. It generally is not — what I am trying to say is you can quit the sugary treatment after the second day)
But yeah!
Go get some burn cream. Whatever it is called. The point is that it should be geared toward treating irritated or burned skin. Apply once a day in light amounts as a replacement for the organic sugar method, cover-up, and …yeah.
Your skin is on its way to healing.
I’ve also heard aloe-vera helps a lot, and has natural anti-oxidizing properties. You could definitely try it out as an alternative to an ointment!
Thank you for reading. It’s crucial for me to emphasize that I am not a doctor (I wanted to be), but I’m not. I am simply just sharing the care routine I used…that is it.
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