Ouch! Have you spent too much time in the sun, spilled coffee or a hot beverage on yourself, or perhaps accidentally touched a hot surface? Burns, no matter how mild, are not fun to deal with. Unfortunately, they are also a common household injury.
As you can imagine, burns vary in degrees of severity. A first-degree burn is the least severe as it affects only the outer layer of skin, resulting in swelling, redness, and mild pain. A second-degree burn is more severe and may cause blisters or shiny skin.
Third and fourth degree burns are the most damaging and are considered medical emergencies.
In this post, we’ll share some natural remedies you can try to soothe mild first-degree burns.
How Long to Heal a Burn
The length of time it takes to heal a burn obviously depends on how serious the burn is and how you treat it. Most first degree burns do not need medical attention and can be treated at home. However, if you notice the wound becomes infected, definitely seek professional medical support.
While the burn is fresh and your skin is healing, be sure to keep the affected area clean. If you are experiencing blisters, do not burst them. This can pave the way to infection.
If you’re wondering how to heal a burn so that it doesn’t scar, the good news is that most mild burns that only affect the top layer of skin usually do not leave any scars. They should heal in roughly a week.
Natural Remedies To Heal a Burn
As we mentioned, mild burns usually do not leave any scarring. The remedies below can help deal with the discomfort and pain you may be experiencing while your skin heals. The aim of these gentle at-home remedies is to reduce the risk of infection, manage pain, and help the skin heal quicker.
Get Cool with Water
When you immediately burn your skin, the first thing you should do to a minor burn is to run cool water over the area. Make sure the water isn’t freezing cold. Do this for about 20 minutes. When you are done, wash the burn with a mild, fragrance-free soap and more water. We recommend this Coconut and Sunflower Oil Soap bar because it’s as gentle as they come.
Embrace the Cooling Effects of Aloe Vera
We love aloe vera as a natural remedy for soothing the skin. The gel from this magical plant actually contains over 75 different nutrients, so it truly does wonders for the skin. You’ve probably already benefited from the cooling effects of aloe vera when dealing with a sunburn. A natural healing agent, it has anti-inflammatory properties and is ultra-hydrating.
You can apply aloe vera gel directly to your burn by cutting open an aloe leaf and squeezing out the gel. You can also find it as a popular ingredient in many natural skincare products.
Avoid Popping Blisters
Another piece of advice is to resist the urge to pop any blisters that may develop. We know it can be tempting but popping your blisters can actually do more harm than good. Trust us, the last thing you want is to have to deal with an infection!
Hydrate with Honey
Humans have been benefiting from the healing powers of honey for thousands of years. And it’s no wonder why. Honey is a powerful hydrator that does a great job healing wounds and burns. It’s also renowned for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Finally, honey helps boost the immune system which can help your body fight off infection. You can apply raw honey directly to the skin but this can be quite a sticky experience! Instead, we recommend trying our Organic Manuka Honey Skin Soothing Cream. Its soft, creamy texture is ultra soothing, soft, and calming for the skin.
