Skins Burns, Sunburn and Treatment

© Michelle Howard Smith - All Rights Reserved

Skin burns are very painful and some times require medical attention.  Imagine sitting out in the sun for a few minutes longer than you should. While it feels good to be outdoors, you are dangerously roasting under the sun's damaging UV rays.  If you haven't spent too much time in the sun, the sunburn will be minor.  In minor cases, they can be treated right at home.

Different Types of Burns

• Flash burns - from exposure to explosive flash fires caused by propane or natural gas igniting
  
• Flame burns - from fire
  
• Contact burns - from contact with hot plastic or metal
  
• Chemical burns - from contact with acids, chemicals, solvents, or poisonous gases
  
• Scalding burns - from hot liquids or hot oils
  
• Electrical burns - from exposure to live wires or being struck by lightening
  
• Ultraviolet burns - sunburn

Of the different types of burns, there are four levels of severity: First degree, second degree, third degree and fourth degree. While all are painful, third and fourth degree burns are the worst and require immediate medical attention. 

First degree skin burns are red, tender and slightly swollen; usually sunburns and scalds.  The top layer of skin is affected.  Healing time is approximately seven days.

Second degree skin burns are extremely red with blisters. The layer beneath the top layer of skin is affected.

Third degree skin burns are severely blistered with peeling away from the body.  The skin's tissues and the nerves in the upper layers are destroyed.  Skin grafting is usually required.   This type of burn is very serious and requires immediate medical attention.

Fourth degree skin burns are the most serious of all and require immediate medical treatment.  There should be no delays.  The connective tissues, muscle and bone is destroyed.  Often, limbs need to be amputated.  This is life threatening.

First degree and second degree skin burns are because of sunburn or contact with fire or hot objects.  There are home remedies, over the counter treatments and pharmaceutical drugs you can use to treat these:

Home Remedies to care for first degree skin burns (little to no blisters):

1. Run skin under cool water (not freezing)
2. Apply Tea Tree Oil or Aloe vera directly from the plant. You can also use a natural aloe gel available at your local pharmacy
3. A cool oatmeal bath. Take natural steel cut oatmeal and create a bath mixture
4. A cool bath with oatmeal soap.

Pharmaceutical drugs

Use over the counter ointments that treat skin burns and sunburn

First, determine how severe a burn is before treating it.  Is it mild or is it severe?  Sunburn can happen after a few minutes or a few hours.  People with mild sunburn will have red skin.  This is a first degree burn.

Severe sunburn appears extremely red with blisters, peeling, discoloration and fever.  Medical treatment is necessary.

Without proper protection, prolonged sun exposure can cause skin cancer.  If you will be outdoors for a long time, use broad range UVA/UVB sunblock protection.

Here's what NOT to do to care for skin burns

1. Do NOT apply oils or grease to the skin.  In the olden days, people used butter.  This is completely wrong and will do more harm than good.


2. Do NOT pull or remove any hanging skin or items that may be burned onto the skin.  Allow medical professions to handle all treatment.
   
   
3. Do NOT apply pressure.
   
   
4. For a third degree burn, Do NOT apply any ointments or attempt to treat at home.  Seek Immediate Medical Attention
   
   
5. Do NOT ice.  It can cause damage to the connective tissues

Since skin burns are very painful, you can take over the counter medication such as acetaminophen to help with the pain.  If you are being seen by a doctor, he or she may prescribe pain medicine such as topical antiseptic creams.

Finally, if you notice that you are not getting better or are getting worst, seek medical attention. The burn could be getting worst if your skin gets more inflamed or blisters are filling with puss or blood.  Seek immediate medical attention.