Burns
Scalds
Definition
A burn is a lesion caused by heat or any cauterizing agent, including friction, electricity and electromagnetic energy.
There are three degrees of burns: First degree burns have only redness, swelling and pain involving only the epidermis. Second degree shows redness and blisters involving both the epidermis and the dermis. Third degree affects the entire thickness of the skin and underlying muscle tissue, subcutaneous fat, and bone is destroyed often with much scarring. Second degree burns, if extensive, and third degree burns need immediate medical care. Go immediately to the hospital emergency room. A doctor's office usually is not equipped to handle this type of emergency.
Treatment
See the doctor with second and third degree burns, however, with third degree burns emergency medical attention should be the preference. Debridement and/or skin grafts may be necessary in third degree burns. Never put ointments, salves, butter or oils on burns, especially second and third degree burns. Do not break blisters, they will heal faster and with less chance of infection when the lymph fluid in the blister is allowed to do its job. If burns are caused by hot tar, wax, melted plastic, melted clothing, etc., use ice water to harden the substance for easier removal. Put cold applications on the burn site at once to reduce pain and swelling. Cover open areas with clean dry cloth to minimize bacterial infection. On first degree burns, aloe vera (may be applied to second or third degree burns after healing begins) or baking soda mixed with olive oil applied to the area will promote healing and prevents scarring in most cases. Elevate the burn site to prevent swelling, watch for signs of infection; odor, pus, or extreme redness. Protect from sunlight. Tannic acid may be used for surface (1st degree) after they have started to heal. Tannic acid is found in many herbs: sumac leaves, sweet gum, white oak bark, beriberi leaves, and blackberry leaves (these herbs may be used as a tea or as a wet cold compress). See the doctor for second and third degree burns.
Nutrients
Potassium, 99 mg. per day, is needed to replace potassium loss.
Vitamin C plus biofavonoids, 3,000-6,000 mg. in divided doses during the day, is essential to healing.
Vitamin E, 600-1,600 mg., is needed for healing and to prevent scarring.
Zinc, 30 mg. per day, is needed for healing of tissues.
Selenium, 200 mcg. per day, aids tissue elasticity.
Vitamin A emulsion, 100,000 IU daily for a month then 25,000 IU, is needed for tissue repair.
Calcium with magnesium and vitamin D, 1,500 mg. calcium and 750 mg. and 400 IU vitamin D daily.
Germanium, 200 mg. per day, helps circulation and healing of tissues.
Herbs
TB
- Aloe vera
- Alum
- Balsam fir
- Basswood
- Beargrass
- Bennet
- Beriberi, leaves
- Blackberry, leaves
- Burdock
- Calamus
- Calendula
- Cattail, common
- Chestnut leaves
- Chickweed
- Clintonia, (bluebeard lily)
- Comfrey
- Coriander
- Daffodil, bulb
- Echinacea
- Elder
- Elm, slippery
- Flax (Linseed oil)
- Ginger root
- Goldenrod
- Gumweed
- Hound's Tongue
- Houseleek
- Irish Moss
- Labrador tea
- Lungwort
- Marshmallow
- Oak, white, bark
- Peppermint
- Pigweed (lamb-quarters)
- Poplar
- St. John's wort
- Sarsaparilla
- Sesame seeds
- Skullcap
- Solomon's seal
- Strawberry, Indian
- Sumac, leaves
- Sweet gum
- Tamarack (black larch)
- Valerian
- Willow
- Witch Hazel bark
Recommendations
Fluid loss in burns is extremely high. Fluid intake must be increased as much as is tolerable with the patient. Diet in second and third degree burns is very important. High protein, for tissue repair, and 5,000-6,000 calories per day is needed for healing
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