Extreme heat, chemicals, and sun exposure can burn tissue and
cause a great deal of discomfort. According to research or other evidence, the following
self-care steps may help promote healing and prevent future damage:
- Block the harsh rays
- Avoid sunburns by applying sunscreen with a high sun protection
factor (SPF) regularly
- Take extra antioxidants
- Protect yourself from harmful ultraviolet rays by taking daily
supplements of 1,000 to 2,000 IU of vitamin E and 2,000 to 3,000 mg of vitamin C during
periods of high sun exposure
- Smooth on aloe
- Speed the healing of minor burns by applying a stabilized herbal
gel three to five times a day
These recommendations are not comprehensive and are not intended to replace
the advice of your doctor or pharmacist. Continue reading the full burns article for more
in-depth, fully-referenced information on medicines, vitamins, herbs, and dietary and
lifestyle changes that may be helpful.
About burns
Burns are damage to tissue that can result from exposure to extreme heat, chemicals,
electricity, or radioactive material.
For minor burns, natural medicine may be helpful after the burn is cleaned with soap and
cold water and gently dried. Because of the risk of infection, topical applications should not be made to
blistered or open burn wounds, unless under medical supervision. Extensive burns or burns
causing more than minor discomfort should be treated by a healthcare professional.
Product ratings for minor
burns
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms depend on the severity and cause of the burn but usually include pain and sensitivity to touch. The skin may appear
swollen, blistered, dried, charred, weeping, or red, gray, or black-colored.
Medical options
Over the counter lotions, creams, and sprays are used to provide temporary relief of pain
due to minor burns. Some products contain a local anesthetic, such as lidocaine (Solarcaine
Aloe Extra Burn Relief®) and benzocaine (Solarcaine®, Americaine Anesthetic®,
Lanacane®, Dermoplast®). Other products contain vitamins A, D, and E (A&D
Ointment®, Coppertone Cool Beads®), as well as aloe vera (Pacquin Plus with Aloe®, Coppertone
Cool Beads®).
The prescription medications silver
sulfadiazine (Silvadene®) and mafenide (Sulfamylon®) are used topically to
prevent and treat uncomplicated bacterial
infection in second and third degree burns, as are oral antibiotics such as levofloxacin (Levaquin®) and cephalexin (Keflex®).
Severe burns require hospitalization. They are typically treated by surgical removal of
burned tissue followed by grafting of skin or synthetic substitutes.
Dietary changes that may be helpful
The body repairs and builds new tissues in a process called anabolism. Adequate amounts of
calories and protein are required for anabolism, as the skin and underlying tissues are
comprised of protein and energy is needed to fuel repair mechanisms. While major injuries
requiring hospitalization raise protein and calorie requirements significantly, injuries such
as minor burns should not require changes from a typical, healthful diet.1
Vitamins that may be helpful
Antioxidants may protect the skin from
sunburn due to free radical–producing
ultraviolet rays.2 Combinations of 1,000 to 2,000 IU per day of vitamin E and 2,000 to 3,000 mg per day of vitamin C, but neither given alone, have a significant
protective effect against ultraviolet rays, according to double-blind studies.3
4 5 Oral synthetic
beta-carotene alone was not found to provide effective protection in a recent double-blind
study,6 it may be effective in combination with topical sunscreen.7
However, other carotenoids such as lycopene may be more important for ultraviolet
protection. One recent uncontrolled trial found 40 grams per day of tomato paste providing 16
mg per day lycopene for 10 weeks protected against burning by ultraviolet rays.8
Another uncontrolled trial found 25 mg/day of natural mixed carotenoids also protected against
ultraviolet radiation, especially when combined with 500 IU per day of vitamin
E.9
Double-blind research has also shown that topical application of antioxidants protects
against sunburn if used before,10 but not after, exposure.11
12
Despite a lack of research on the subject, using vitamin E topically on minor burns is a popular
remedy. This makes sense, because some of the damage done to the skin is oxidative, and
vitamin E is an antioxidant. Some doctors suggest simply breaking open a capsule of vitamin E
and applying it to the affected area two or three times per day. Vitamin E forms are listed as
either “tocopherol” or “tocopheryl” followed by the name of what is
attached to it, as in “tocopheryl acetate.” While both forms are active when taken
by mouth, the skin utilizes the tocopheryl forms very slowly.13 14
Therefore, those planning to apply vitamin E to the skin should buy the tocopherol form.
Burns affecting a large proportion of the body may result in vitamin D deficiency15 , potentially
increasing the risk of osteoporosis, which is a frequent long-term consequence of severe
burns.16 Vitamin D deficiency may result from the inability of previously burned
skin to manufacture vitamin D after exposure to sunlight. People with a history of an
extensive burn might benefit from vitamin D supplementation.
Colloidal silver has been used as a topical
antiseptic for minor burns for over a century. Internal use of colloidal silver is not
recommended for this condition.
Are there any side effects or interactions?
Refer to the individual supplement for information about any side effects or interactions.
Herbs that may be helpful
Aloe is another popular remedy for minor
burns and a small preliminary study found it more effective than Vaseline in treating
burns.17 The stabilized aloe gel is typically applied to the affected area of skin
three to five times per day. Older case studies reported that aloe gel applied topically could
help heal radiation burns,18 but a large, double-blind trial did not find aloe
effective in this regard.19
Calendula cream may be applied to minor
burns to soothe pain and help promote tissue
repair. It has been shown in animal studies to be anti-inflammatory20 and to aid
repair of damaged tissues.21 The cream is applied three times per day. Plantain is regarded as similar to calendula in
traditional medicine, though usually the whole leaf is applied directly to the burn as a
poultice.
Gotu kola has been used in the medicinal
systems of central Asia for centuries to treat numerous skin diseases. Saponins in gotu kola
beneficially affect collagen (the material that makes up connective tissue) to inhibit its
production in hyperactive scar tissue following burns or wounds.22
Are there any side effects or interactions?
Refer to the individual herb for information about any side effects or interactions.
Holistic approaches that may be helpful
Acupuncture may be useful in the treatment
of serious burns. A report of patients suffering from extensive second-degree burns suggests
acupuncture can reduce shock and pain
following the acute injury and may reduce
infection and pain when used as a part of post-injury wound care.23 A
preliminary report described ten patients with second-degree burns that did not respond to
conventional medical treatment. A majority of these patients achieved greater than 90%
recovery following electrical stimulation to the wound (similar to
electroacupuncture).24 Ear (auricular) acupuncture with electrical stimulation was
studied in a small controlled trial, in which a significantly greater reduction in pain from
burns was achieved with acupuncture. The relief lasted at least 60 minutes following
acupuncture treatment.25
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RRR-alpha-tocopherol, L-ascorbic acid and beta-carotene in . Free Radic Biol Med
1998;25:848–7.
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