Burn

Types of Burns

There are three primary types of burns :

• First Degree
• Second Degree
• Third Degree

First-Degree Burn

First-degree burns cause minimal skin damage. They are also called “superficial burns” because they affect the outermost layer of skin.

Signs of a first-degree burn include

• Redness
• Minor inflammation, or swelling
• Pain
• Dry, peeling skin occurs as the burn heals

Since this burn affects the top layer of skin, the signs and symptoms disappear once the skin cells shed. First-degree burns usually heal within 7 to 10 days without scarring if the burn affects a large area of skin, more than three inches, and if it’s on your face or a major joint, which include-

• Knee
• Ankle
• Foot
• Spine
• Shoulder
• Elbow
• Forearm

First-degree burns are usually treated with Home care. Healing time may be quicker the sooner you treat the burn.

Treatments for a first-degree burn include:

Soaking the wound in cool water for five minutes or longer. Make sure you don’t use ice, as this may make the damage worse. Never apply cotton balls to a burn because the small fibres can stick to the injury and increase the risk of infection. Also, avoid home remedies like butter and eggs as these are not proven to be effective.

Second-Degree Burn

Second-degree burns are more serious because the damage extends beyond the top layer of skin. This type of burn causes the skin to blister and become extremely red and sore.

Some blisters pop open, giving the burn a wet or weeping appearance. Over time, thick, soft, scab-like tissue called fibrinous exudate may develop over the wound.

Due to the delicate nature of these wounds, keeping the area clean and bandaging it properly is required to prevent infection. This also helps the burn heal quicker.

Some second-degree burns take longer than three weeks to heal, but most heal within two to three weeks without scarring, but often with pigment changes to the skin.

The worse the blisters are, the longer the burn will take to heal. In some severe cases, skin grafting is required to fix the damage. Skin grafting takes healthy skin from another area of the body and moves it to the site of the burned skin.

As with first-degree burns, avoid cotton balls and questionable home remedies. Treatments for a mild second-degree burn generally include:

Running the skin under cool water for 15 minutes or longer However, seek emergency medical treatment if the burn affects a widespread area, such as any of the following:

• Face
• Hands
• Buttocks
• Groin
• Feet

Third-Degree Burn

Excluding fourth-degree burns, third-degree burns are the most severe. They cause the most damage, extending through every layer of skin. There is a misconception that third-degree burns are the most painful. However, with this type of burn the damage is so extensive that there may not be any pain because of nerve damage.

Depending on the cause, the symptoms third-degree burns can exhibit include:

• Waxy and white colour
• Char
• Dark brown colour
• Raised and leathery texture
• Blisters that do not develop

Without surgery, these wounds heal with severe scarring and contracture. There is no set timeline for complete spontaneous healing for third-degree burns.

Causes

Burns are caused by :

• Fire
• Hot liquid or steam
• Hot metal, glass or other objects
• Electrical currents
• Radiation, such as that from X-rays
• Sunlight or other sources of ultraviolet radiation, such as a tanning bed
• Chemicals such as strong acids, lye, paint thinner or gasoline
• Abuse

Diagnosis

If you go to a doctor for burn treatment, he or she will assess the severity of your burn by examining skin. He or she may recommend that you be transferred to a burn centre if the burn covers more than 10 percent of your total body surface area, is very deep, is on the face, feet or groin. Doctor will check for other injuries and might order lab tests, X-rays or other diagnostic procedures.

Rule of 9 -

• Head = 9%
• Chest (front) = 9%
• Abdomen (front) = 9%
• Upper/mid/low back and buttocks = 18%
• Each arm = 9%
• Each palm = 1%
• Groin = 1%
• Each leg = 18% total (front = 9%, back = 9%)

As an example, if both legs (18% x 2 = 36%), the groin (1%) and the front chest and abdomen were burned, this would involve 55% of the body.

Homoeopathy and Burn

1. Aconite

   Use immediately after the accident to counteract the nervous shock or when reaction has taken place, and there is dry, burning heat of the skin, heat hot and painful, face is red, pulse hard, frequent and contracts. There is great restlessness, panic and fear of death.

2. Apis Mellifica

   This remedy relieves pink, swollen skin with itching, burning pain improved by applying cold compresses.

3. Arnica

   Helps prevent sequel, Such as shock after severe, deep burns and prevent septicemia. Inflammation of skin and cellular tissue with extreme tenderness and pain. Patient does not want to approach and tell everyone present they are all right and wants to be left alone.

   This is a valuable first-aid remedy to help reduce pain and swelling and prevent the onset of shock after any injury. Another remedy that is more specific to the burn should be considered after Arnica.

4. Arsenicum

   Deep burns with vesicles and infected flesh that turn black showing tendency towards gangrene, Inflammatory swelling, with burning, lancinating pains. Infection from dead tissue remaining in the wound, great anguish and restlessness, changes place constantly. Fents death and being left above. Thinks it is useless to take medicine. Prostration which may seem out of proportion with the situation is colic after severe burn.

5. Calendula

   This remedy is useful for minor superficial burns caused by fire or the sun. Calendula also prevents gangrene and promotes granulation as well as prevents disfiguring scars. Prevents loss of blood and excessive pain. It is a good remedy to use to promote healing after specific acute remedies have removed the shock, pain and immediate symptoms. Use this remedy internally in potency and externally as a lotion. This remedy has a slight antiseptic action, speeds up the healing of damaged skin, and keeps the skin moisturised.

6. Cantharis

   If used early it will prevent the formation of blisters. This is the most used remedy for scalds, burn and sunburns with vesicular character, blisters and superficial ulceration. Small blisters coalesce to form large blisters. Burns and scald with rawness and burning > by cold applications, followed by undue inflammation. Tetanic or epileptiform convulsions followed by coma. Extensive burns cause a renal complication. Patient is < by touch, approach and > rest. Use internally and externally in lotion. If a burn is intensely painful and blisters seem to be forming, this remedy may help to bring relief. The person often feels more sad than restless from the pain. Rawness and soreness may develop in the injured area.

7. Carbolic Acid

   Useful for the ill effects of deep burns as well as old burns do not get well. Chemical burns and scalds. Intensely sympathetic, thinking of complaints aggravate them.

8. Rhus Tox

   After burns and scalds with vesicles, bullae (large blisters), Pustules. The burns are extensive burn more superficial although there may be erysipelas with typhoid like symptoms, sensorium becoming cloudy.

9. Urtica urens

   For simple burns involving the skin, superficial burns. Intense burning and itching. Useful is chemical burns caused by poisonous plants used internally and externally. When a burn is mild and the primary symptoms are redness and stinging pain, this remedy often brings relief. It is often useful for sunburn when the pain is prickly and stinging.

10. Causticum

    This is a wonderful remedy for burns of a second degree. It will remove the pain and speed the healing of the skin. The sensation of a Causticum state will be burning, rawness and soreness. There can be restlessness and irritability with tearfulness. This remedy is very good for burns that are slow in healing.

11. Hypericum

    It is wonderful for healing nerve damage that might have occurred with burns, preventing infection and relieving the itch as the skin heals. It can be given alongside the other remedies. It also helps to relieve the pain after skin grafts. This remedy is often helpful when the pain of a burn is intense and the nerves are extremely sensitive. Along with the usual discomfort of a burn, stabbing or shooting pains may be felt in the injured area.

12. Thiosinaminum

    Which is fabulous for dissolving scar tissue as the burns enter their later stage of healing and the skin can become a bit ropey and thick.

13. Hepar sulphuris calcareum

    This remedy is helpful for treating very sensitive and painful burns in people who are prone to infection. The person may feel extremely vulnerable and irritable, and may have chills or be very sensitive to cold.

14. Phosphorus

    This remedy may be useful for the pain of electrical burns, on the way to medical care. (When electrical burns occur, the damaged area may look small on the surface, but be more extensive underneath; they should always be examined by a doctor.

15. Calendula and Hypericum tinctures

    These tinctures (used topically in unpotentized herbal form) often are helpful in soothing burns and promoting tissue healing.

Benefits of Homoeopathic Treatment

1. Individualised Care: Homoeopathy recognizes that each person's experience with eczema is unique. A homoeopath will assess the symptoms, medical history, and individual characteristics to prescribe a personalised treatment plan tailored to the individual's needs.
2. Symptom Relief: Homoeopathic remedies aim to relieve itching, reduce inflammation, and promote the healing of skin rashes associated with eczema. They provide natural support without the potential side effects of long-term medication use.
3. Improved Skin Health: Homoeopathy focuses on strengthening the skin's natural defences, enhancing the skin barrier function, and promoting overall skin health.
4. Holistic Approach: Homoeopathy considers not only the physical symptoms but also the emotional and mental well-being of an individual. It aims to restore balance at all levels, providing comprehensive care.

Consulting a Homeopath

When treating burns, it is essential to consult a homoeopath, especially for severe burns. A Sanjivani homoeopath can provide a comprehensive treatment plan that includes specific remedies tailored to the type and severity of the burn. They can also monitor the healing process and adjust treatments as necessary. Consulting a Sanjivani homoeopath ensures that the treatment is holistic, addressing not just the physical symptoms but also the emotional and psychological impact of the injury.