Burns are serious, not only because of pain in the area of the burn itself, but also because of possible chemical changes in other parts of the body. Burns are among the most common household emergencies. Hot liquids, stoves, radiators, unguarded electric outlets, firecrackers, chemicals, irons, gasfires, and sunburn often burn young children. The greatest danger arises from the shock, which follows a deep burn involving a large area of the body.

The symptoms of a first-degree burn are pain, heat, redness and tender to the touch in the skin affected. These symptoms can appear from 1 to 24 hours after exposure to the sun.

The symptoms of a second-degree burn are extreme reddening, swelling; pain and even blisters can appear. The burn reaches the deeper layers of the skin where it damages the small blood vessels and elastic fibers in the skin, and later there is wrinkling of the skin. In most severe cases, chills, fever, nausea, and/or delirium may accompany the burn.

In severe burns the loss of body fluids can be very serious, particularly in a young child. The kidneys and adrenal glands may not function well, and other internal organs may be more affected. Even a small burn may produce a serious deformity if it occurs over a large joint, such as the knee. Deep burns often result in the formation of considerable scar tissue.

Severe burns involve the deeper layers of the skin and usually cause large blisters. Burns are always more serious when face, hands, feet or genital organs are involved.

Chemical burns are often serious, and may result in deep scars. Steam and dry heat burns should be treated as ant other severe burn.

HOME REMEDIES FOR BURNS

· Apply egg white on the burnt area. It will prevent the scars.

· If you get a burn just put butter or margarine on it. It will help a lot.

· Immediate application of ice or the coldest water you can get will often limit the extent of damage.

· After the cold treatment, you my gently sponge the area with soap and warm water, then apply a Vaseline dressing. Bandage this firmly in place. The pressure helps to control the pain and reduce the loss of body fluids.

· If the patient is feeling weak, give him a warm drink.

· Apply alcohol or soyabean paste to the burnt area. This will reduce the pain.

· Apply some aloe Vera on the burnt area. It will relieve the pain. The pulp from the leaf taken fresh, should be applied on the affected part. Alternatively, drink 30 ml of the pulp twice a day, and apply the inside of the leaf as a poultice and wrap with a thin cotton gauze. Replace the leaf every 6 hours. Aloe vera is a very good antioxidant and helps heal burns fast.

· Cut a potato and put it on the burnt area. This will reduce the pain and prevent the scarring.

· Spread a coat of Nail-Varnish on the burn. Once dry, the film is going to prevent infections and stops immediately pain

· Put Colgate toothpaste on the burn. It will give instant relief.

· Apply regular yellow mustard to the burn. Once it dries, wash it off and this will prevent it from blistering.

· Apply vitamin E cream to affected area and take vitamin E supplements. This will not cure the sunburn but it will help reduce itching and will speed recovery.

· Prepare a yogurt-based paste with barley and turmeric and apply to affected areas.

· Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.

· Eat lots of lean, and high quality protein foods. Also include raw fruits to supply the vitamins and minerals needed.

· Boil water and steep many tea bags to a very strong tea in a large pot. Add ice until the tea is just slightly warm. Put a bath towel into the pot and keep turning the towel until it has soaked up all of the tea.. Place the wet towel over the burned area of the body. Leave the towel on for a half hour for a moderate burn and an hour for a strong burn.

· Apply Colloidal silver this is a natural antibiotic and disinfectant if the burn is very painful.

· Prepare a mixture by adding 2 tbsp each of

marshmallow and comfrey root. Set over low heat in a saucepan with 1-cup olive oil and 1 cup wine for 30 minutes. Cool and strain.

· Honey has antibacterial properties and will promote healing. After applying honey cover the area with some gauze.

· Make a decoction using 3-4 tea bags, 2 cups of fresh mint leaves and 4 cups water. Strain liquid into a jar and allow to cool. To use, dab the mixture on burned skin with a cotton ball or washcloth.

· Crumble 1 cup of uncooked oatmeal into a bath of lukewarm water as the bath is filling. Soak 15-20 minutes and gently pat the burned area dry so that a thin coating of the oatmeal remains on your skin. This remedy is good for the itching that comes from a healing burn or sunburn.

· Do not use cotton directly on burns as it adheres to it

. Do not apply Ink, Mercurochrome, greases or baking soda over burnt area, do not try to peel it loose.

· For minor burns rub some mustard on the burned area.

· Raise burned arms or legs higher than the person's heart.

FOR SEVERE BURNS, SEE THE DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY.

Do's and Don'ts

* Out of all areas in the home, the kitchen is number one for getting burns. The reasons are obvious, as are many of the precautions you can take to prevent an accident.

* DO lower the temperature of your hot-water heater to below 120 degrees F. A second-degree burn can happen within seconds in water that's hotter than 120 degrees.

* DO turn pot handles toward the back of the stove.

* Do keep that steaming cup of java out of a child's reach, which means off the coffee table or other low-lying areas.

* DO cover all electrical outlets with specially made caps if children are present.

* DON'T ever leave a child unattended in the kitchen.

* DO make the stove area off-limits to children.

* DO put a childproof lock on the oven door.

* DO keep oven mitts and potholders handy when cooking.

* DO keep a fire extinguisher and a box of baking soda nearby, in case of a grease fire.