Minor burns - What do you do?

[sumi]

I have a scar on my inner arm just above my wrist from oil splashing on me while cooking when I was 14 or so. We did everything right other than going to the hospital. 2nd degree burn but it healed pretty quick. Aloe and bandage during the day and aloe and air at night. Mom says now that if she knew about the honey then she'd have used it on me and maybe it wouldn't look so much like a burn scar.

If the scar bothers you, put some Bio Oil on it. I hear it helps reduce the appearance of scars with regular use. I rubbed it over my stomach and chest daily when I was pregnant to prevent stretch marks and it worked really well. It's lovely on your skin too!

 

[Hinotori]

Doesn't bother me. Bothers Mom. I have so many scars from thorns, trees, chickens, and random clumsiness that it doesn't matter

 

[Britesea]

Manuca honey is supposed to be amazing, but I've found any kind of honey is very good for healing. Something odd I read though, is that sugar is supposed to work on wounds- it soaks up all the moisture (sugar is more hydrophilic than salt is) and bacteria cannot live without the moisture.

I was taught by an old chef once to rub my arms with oil when I was going to fry anything; it acts as a shield to protect you from small spits of fat. It obviously wouldn't work for a large splash, of course.

 

[sumi]

Oh yes, licking the honey from around the burn is great fun and essential to the whole healing process ya know

Beekissed, someone is either using a ton of the stuff, or they are repacking it in smaller quantities and selling it… Either way, a large amount of it doesn't sound like a bad thing. They have so many uses.

Years ago when I started keeping chickens, an old man told me to cut up some leaves from the aloe plants and put them in the chickens' water bowl. He said it helps keep them healthy and keep parasites under control.

 

[moxies_chickennuggets]

I keep 2 aloe vera plants.

 

[Britesea]

When I was making glass beads (we're talking about molten glass- 1500F) I learned about using Lavender essential oil. It really works to heal the burn without scarring. A dilute spray is also great for sunburn.
The reason things like flour are reputed to help with burns is because they prevent air from hitting the burned flesh-- THAT is why the burn hurts. Most people have heard about running cold water on a burn; but they don't do it long enough. You need to run fresh cold water (not ice) over the burn for at least 15 minutes to stop the flesh from continuing to burn. I would say use the cold water first, then use lavender (or honey) afterwards- to help with the healing. Of course, this is only for first degree burns. Second and third degree is more dangerous and can get infected- especially if you use things like flour.