This section deals with common, everyday, nonchemical, nonelectrical burns such as those resulting from boiling water splatters or hot steam from the teapot, spattering cooking oil, or accidently touching a hot surface. These first-degree or superficial seconddegree burns damage only the epidermis (they outermost layer of the skin); they don’t penetrate into the dermis (the second layer of the skin that houses nerves and blood vessels). Yes, they are painful and may eventually blister and peel, but they will most likely heal without becoming infected or resulting in a scar if proper care is observed.
Approximately 80 percent of burns can be dealt with successfully at home and don’t warrant a trip to the emergency room or professional intervention — you just need to be prepared, because accidents do happen to everyone.
Treating Burns
The first step to treating a minor burn at home is to immediately cool the burned area in one of the following ways:
• Use Quench-the-Heat Aloe Liniment.
• Immerse the burned area in cold water.
• Gently run cold tap water over the area.
• Apply a generous amount of aloe vera juice or gel to the burn.
• Apply a cold, wet compress to the burn.
• Apply an ice pack (or a bag of frozen vegetables) wrapped in a dishtowel to the burn.
Important note: Do not apply ice directly to the skin, and do not apply a salve, balm, or oil to a fresh burn, as the fat can insulate the skin and slow the cooling process, creating further tissue damage.
It’s important to immediately cool the heat to diminish the potential for scarring and further tissue damage. I highly recommend the use of aloe vera juice; it works miracles with regard to the healing of burns and skin preservation. Do whatever works for the situation at hand, and keep it up until all burning sensations have subsided. Depending on the size and severity of the burn, this may take 15 to 30 minutes or more.
After the burned area has completely cooled, rinse the wound with soap and water, remove any debris, gently pat dry, and apply an anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and skin-cell-regenerating product, such as Burn Recovery Oil. You may bandage the area with gauze or leave it exposed, as you prefer, though it is vital that you protect the burn from dirt and further injury. If the burn is of an electrical or chemical nature or you suspect severe second- or third-degree damage, call 911 immediately.
QUENCH-THE-HEAT ALOE LINIMENT
This recipe for a nonalcoholic liniment uses cooling aloe vera juice with lavender essential oil to speed the recovery of damaged tissue. These two ingredients have vulnerary properties and work to reduce inflammation and pain. This is my go-to “burn juice.” I always keep a bottle of it in the door of my refrigerator for those unavoidable kitchen burns. Use it as initial treatment of minor skin burns or sunburn, and continue use until skin is completely healed.
Note: If you wish to use aloe gel from a fresh plant leaf, split open the leaf, scrape or squeeze out the gel, and apply the gel directly to the burn. Discard the leaf.
1 cup commercially prepared aloe vera juice
80 drops lavender essential oil
EQUIPMENT: Plastic or glass spritzer bottle
PREP TIME: 5 minutes
YIELD: Approximately 1 cup
STORAGE: Refrigerate; use within 6 months
APPLICATION: As necessary or desired Combine the aloe vera juice and lavender essential oil in a spritzer bottle and shake vigorously to blend. Label, and store in the refrigerator.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
Shake well before each use. Follow the advice given in Treating Burns (opposite page). This aloe liniment should be applied as soon as possible after the skin is burned, either by spraying it directly on the area or using it to soak a compress. Repeat several times per day, if desired, for up to several weeks, until the skin is completely healed.
Bonus
You can use this formula to relieve the sting of sunburn and the itch of dermatitis, and as a gentle toner for oily and normal skin.
BURN RECOVERY OIL
This lovely oil is just what burned, damaged flesh needs — it contains antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, promotes the growth of healthy new skin tissue, and aids in conditioning the epidermis, increasing flexibility and suppleness and thus preventing potential scars. Use it on burned skin and surrounding area after the initial heat and inflammation have subsided to prevent potential infection and scarring.
Note: This is an aromatherapeutically concentrated formula, so use only by the drop as directed.
7 drops rosemary (chemotype verbenon) essential oil
5 drops German chamomile essential oil
5 drops lavender essential oil
3 drops carrot seed essential oil
2 drops sage essential oil
1 tablespoon jojoba base oil
1 tablespoon rosehip seed base oil
EQUIPMENT: Dropper, dark glass bottle with dropper top or screw cap
PREP TIME: 15 minutes, plus 24 hours to synergize
YIELD: Approximately 2 tablespoons
STORAGE: Store at room temperature, away from heat and light; use within 1 year
APPLICATION:
3 times per day Add the rosemary, German chamomile, lavender, carrot seed, and sage essential oils drop by drop directly into a storage bottle. Add the jojoba and rosehip seed base oils. Screw the top on the bottle and shake vigorously for 2 minutes to blend. Label the bottle and place in a dark location that’s between 60° and 80°F for 24 hours so that the oils can synergize.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
Shake well before each use. Follow the advice given in Treating Burns. Apply by the drop to affected skin and surrounding area after the initial heat and inflammation have subsided, then use once or twice per day until the burn has healed. Bonus These aromatic drops aid in healing cuts, scrapes, bug bites, infected ingrown hairs and ingrown toenails, blisters, rashes, or any minor skin infection.
AFTER-THE-BURN SKIN CONDITIONING SALVE
Except for a hint of honey aroma, this is a relatively fragrance-free, velvetytextured conditioning salve for even the most sensitive skin. It moisturizes and aids in renewing elasticity and flexibility of the skin, thereby reducing the potential for scarring.
5 tablespoons soybean base oil 1 tablespoon beeswax
1 tablespoon cocoa butter
1 tablespoon refined shea butter (unrefined shea butter will work, but its stronger fragrance will often dominate the formula)
EQUIPMENT: Small saucepan or double boiler, stirring utensil, plastic or glass jar or tin
PREP TIME: 30 minutes, plus 12 hours to thicken
YIELD: ½ cup
STORAGE: Store at room temperature, away from heat and light; use within 1 year
APPLICATION:
As desired Combine the soybean oil, beeswax, cocoa butter, and shea butter in a small saucepan or double boiler, and warm over low heat until all the solids are just melted. Remove from the heat and allow to cool for 5 to 10 minutes. Stir a few times to blend the mixture thoroughly. Pour into a storage container, then cap and label. Allow the salve to harden overnight at room temperature. Because both cocoa butter and shea butter are included, the salve may continue to change texture slightly for another 24 hours.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
Apply a small dab of salve to the affected skin and surrounding area, and massage it in gently. Use as often as desired; in fact, use it anywhere your skin is dry, damaged, chafed, and in need of TLC.
Bonus
This salve conditions dry lips, cuticles, nails, and cracked feet and can be used on a baby’s bottom to prevent diaper rash. It’s wonderful for preventing stretch marks on expanding belly and breasts before, during, and after pregnancy, and it also works as an after-sun “skin rescue.”
Sunday, 20 April 2014
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