Home remedies for burns can help soothe mild burns when the skin is intact. They may help relieve discomfort, protect the area, and support the skin’s natural healing process.
Before using any home remedy, remove clothing from the affected area, as long as it is not stuck to the skin. Then place the burned skin under cool running water for about 20 minutes.
These home remedies are not FDA-approved treatments for burns and should be used with caution. Discontinue use immediately if symptoms such as redness, swelling, itching, rash, hives, increased pain, burning, blisters, or worsening irritation occur, and seek further assessment if no improvement is noted within 24 to 48 hours.
Home remedy options
Some home remedy options for burns are:
1. Banana peel
Banana peel is a popular home remedy for minor burns because it contains compounds that may help soothe the skin and relieve discomfort.
Ingredients
-
1 ripe banana peel.
Preparation method
Wash the banana peel thoroughly and place the inner side of the peel directly over the burn.
Leave it in place for a few minutes and replace it with a fresh peel when needed. Repeat several times per day.
2. Aloe vera gel
An aloe vera poultice is an excellent natural remedy for 1st-degree burns because this plant contains a gel inside its leaves that moisturizes and soothes the skin. This can help with healing and reduce burn pain.
Ingredients
-
1 aloe vera leaf.
Preparation method
Remove the thorns and cut the leaf in half lengthwise. Then scrape out the gel from inside the leaf and place it on a sterile compress or gauze, covering the skin afterward. This poultice should be changed at least twice per day.
Also recommended: Aloe Vera for Burns: Why it Works & How to Apply tuasaude.com/en/aloe-vera-for-burns3. Honey
Honey is a traditional home remedy that is often used on minor burns because it helps keep the skin moisturized and protected.
Ingredients
-
1 to 2 teaspoons of honey.
Preparation method
Apply a thin layer of honey over the burned area and cover it with sterile gauze.
Replace the dressing and reapply honey 2 to 3 times per day.
4. Lettuce compress
Another good home remedy for burns, especially sunburn, is a cool lettuce compress.
This remedy is believed to help soothe irritated skin and reduce discomfort.
Ingredients
- 3 lettuce leaves
- Cool water.
Preparation method
Wash the lettuce leaves thoroughly and place them in cool water for a few minutes.
Apply the cool lettuce leaves to the affected area and leave them on for a few minutes before gently rinsing.
5. Chamomile tea compress
A chamomile tea compress is a popular natural remedy for mild burns because chamomile has soothing properties that may help calm irritated skin.
Ingredients
-
1 tablespoon of dried chamomile flowers or 1 chamomile tea bag
-
1 cup of water.
Preparation method
Prepare the chamomile tea and allow it to cool completely.
Soak a clean cloth or sterile gauze in the tea and apply it to the affected area several times per day.
Home remedies that should not be used
Although there are several popular home remedies that claim to help treat burns, not all of them should be used.
Some home remedies that should not be used include:
-
Butter, oil, or another type of grease
-
Toothpaste
-
Ice
-
Egg white.
These types of products can cause more skin irritation and may lead to infection in the area, which can interfere with the entire burn healing process.