Other Names:
Scalds

Symptoms:
There are first degree burns (redness), second degree burns (redness and blisters), and third degree burns (the entire skin and some of the underlying muscle is destroyed). For third degree burns, immediately go to a doctor or an emergency room. Even more extreme is a fourth degree burn: Instead of oozing flesh, the area is dry and charred.

Cause:
Tissue damage to the skin as a result of heat, chemical, electrical, or radiation injury. First degree: usually from sun or water; second degree: generally from hot metal objects, flame-contact burns and severe sunburn; third: hot fluid burns, steam from a pressure cooker, electrical burns, or high flame contact.

Treatment:
• First degree: Mix equal parts of white vinegar with water and cover the burn surface, twice a day. Also apply aloe vera or vitamin E oil locally. Tannic acid has been used in clinics for surface burns that have begun to heal, so you can use white oak bark tea. Apply locally as a tea and wet compress.

• Second degree: Apply vitamin E oil or zinc oxide. Take vitamin C to bowel tolerance. Apply aloe vera after healing begins.

• Third and fourth degree: Immediately take the person to a professional. Do not try to remove clothing stuck to the burned area. Apply aloe vera after healing has begun.

• Soak the clothes, so the hot cloth will not increase the burn. Apply cold until the pain subsides.

• Cold water or cold, wet cloths on the area reduce pain and swelling. Cover the burn, to reduce likelihood of infection. Mix and apply olive oil with baking soda to the area. Elevate the area, to reduce swelling, and keep it out of the sun. Do not break the blisters, and never put salves or butter on burns. Watch for indications of infection, odor, pus, or angry redness. Cold clay poultices are useful.

• Second degree, on up, requires a high protein diet and 5,000 calories per day. Increase fluid intake. Also important: vitamins A, B, C, E, and F.

• Applying vitamin E and spraying on a 1-3% solution of vitamin C every 2-4 hours is very helpful. This reduces pain and accelerates healing. Take 1,000 mg of vitamin C orally, every hour.

• Have the patient breathe deeply every so often. He needs the vital oxygen for healing of the burn.

• Fresh aloe vera juice is outstanding on burns, to hasten healing. But this can only be done if you have a growing plant to cut the leaves from.