The menace of hot water burn and scalding is discussed at length in this article. Read on to see how you can remedy this burn at home and so on.
What is a water burn?
This is among the most common types of burns at home. The burn you experience from hot water while doing the dishes or that annoying burn when you drink hot coffee is water burn. The broader category of this type of burn is called a scald, where it's not only the hot water that burns you but also steam and other hot liquids. Children, under 5 years, are the most vulnerable to scalds, which happen half a million times a year in the American home. Scalds from hot water are very dangerous. They cause damage to the skin and can destroy the skin cells. Furthermore, these burns can even lead to shock and become life-threatening.
What causes scalds and hot water burns?
These burns are very common because it only takes a small accident at home to experience them. Kids are the most common to commit these mistakes or causes such accidents and hence should be kept away from hot liquids.
Scalds can be caused in the following ways:
- You can spill hot soup or beverage on yourself.
- Steam from boiling water, microwave, or oven can scald you when you come too close.
- Some professionals are at risk, especially those who work in kitchens.
- If your tap water is above 120 degrees Fahrenheit, then it is likely to cause a scald.
Depending on the temperature of the liquid, a scald can turn into a serious injury in a matter of seconds. Care is supposed to be taken around such hot liquids.
Home remedies for hot water burns and scalds
How to treat burns caused by boiling water?
What degree burn is caused by boiling water?
Boiling water and scalds are mostly in charge of causing first and second-degree burns. These wounds can comfortably be treated at home. However, scalds involving certain body parts or those which are large require medical evaluation.
Remove the source of heat or burn
Obvious, yes but it needs to be put out there. Instinctively we would immediately leave or drop the source of heat, but at times it may need to be removed especially if the victim is a minor, a senior, or someone ill. There are also cases of being trapped, and rescue might be needed, or a lot of the hot liquid has poured on your skin and needs wiping out. All in all, this first step reduces further injury.
Immediately remove any clothing or jewelry around the burn wound
After stopping the source of heat, quickly remove anything around the scald. Removing constrictive clothes and jewelry will help cool the skin and allow the wound to swell without getting in the way. In case something is stuck on the wound, do not remove it as it will cause further damage.
Cool the burn wound
This is achieved by gently running cool water on the wound for about 20 minutes. This will get rid of the heat and stop the burning process. Alternatively, a clean towel can be made wet and gently placed on the burn wound. This will also have a cooling effect. Dipping the wound in a basic of cool water is allowed as long as the wound is not too large. If it is large, you risk losing body heat and causing further complications. You should also not use ice or very cold water as it would cause more problems.
After the first aid, make a semi-professional or a layman evaluation of the burn to gauge the severity. This will help you determine the extent of the burn damage and whether or not you require medical help.
If you see the following, go for medical help:
- If the burn covers a large area.
- If the pain is too much.
- If the victim is too you or too old or suffering from a severe condition.
- If the burn is around the genitals, face, legs, hands or arms.
- If blisters form.
- Watch out for signs of infection.
Evaluate the burn
For this, you can use a plastic wrap and fasten the ends with tape. Ensure the wrap is not too tight or does not cover the wound completely. Leave some room for circulation in around the wound. Also, ensure that no sticky tape touches the wound. The steps above are usually the first aid for a scald or a minor burn resulting from hot water. After this, you need additional home treatments. There are numerous natural remedies for burns and painkillers you can take at home to help heal the wound. Here are the home remedies for minor burns and scalds discussed. There are also additional remedies that are popular for burns but should be avoided.
Cover the burn
What home remedy can I use for a burn?
The best home remedies for burns
After first aid for a burn or scald, try the remedies below and stick with them until your wound heals completely.
Can you use aloe vera for burns?
A lot of products and creams meant for burns have aloe vera as part of their ingredients. This is because of its antibacterial, pro circulation, and anti-inflammatory properties. Pure aloe vera will stop the pain, swelling, and inflammation. It will also play a part in promoting the growth and repair of the skin.
Does honey help burns?
There are honey bandages that prevent infection by sterilizing a burn. The same also relieves the pain associated with burns by soothing the skin. All this is possible because of the anti-inflammatory and antibacterial characteristics of honey.
Relieve the pain with some over-the-counter medications
Getting burned is a painful affair, whatever the degree. All through the healing process, the burn can be a great source of discomfort. Take some pain medication that will reduce the swelling and relieve pain. Try ibuprofen which works as an anti-inflammatory medication and a pain reliever.
Do not pop burn blisters
Popping away those fluid-filled sacs resulting from burns can be very tempting. This will, however, lead to an infection, especially if the person popping it is not a doctor. You can let the burn blister be or visit a pro.
Use some antibiotics on your burn
Antibiotic ointments and creams can be used on burns with open blisters. These ointments help prevent infection in the open wound and also accelerates the healing process.
Can vinegar help with a burn?
The acetic acid found in vinegar can relieve pain, inflammation, and itchiness from a burn. It will also protect the burn from infection as it has astringent and antiseptic properties. It is a component of aspirin. Alternatively, you can make a vinegar compress. This will draw out the heat reducing the pain in the burn.
Some burns may need bandages
Burns that are in areas that can easily get dirt or rub with other parts need to be bandaged. This will reduce the risk of a fracture and hence infection. The same applies to blisters that are oozing. It is important not to ties the bandage too tight. And also, the stick part of the bandage should not touch the actual wound.In most cases, however, the minor burns and burn blisters do not require a bandage.
Keep the burn shaded from direct sunlight
Try to avoid the sun when healing from a burn. This will prevent the risk of worsening the burn and also reduce the pain. If you cannot stay away from the sun altogether, wear loose clothes that cover the area.
Does vanilla extract help with burns?
There are some recommendations that suggest using vanilla extracts to relieve the pain. The idea is that the evaporating alcohol in vanilla will soothe the burn and cool it. This will reduce the pain. Simply dab some vanilla on the would using a cotton ball.
Is oatmeal good for burns?
When it comes to itchy burns, using oats can be very beneficial. Oats will soothe the skin and help reduce inflammation. Considering the negative effects of scratching a burn, you should try this. Soak in an oat bath for 20 minutes. To prepare the oat bath, mix some oats in the bath water. You can add some baking soda as well; it will help with the inflammation. For smaller irritations, soak the area in a bowl of similar mixture. After you are done, do not dry with a towel, it will remove the remaining thin layer of oats. Let it dry on its own.
Do tea bags help burns?
The tannic acid in black tea can be useful in extracting heat from a burn thereby cooling it off and relieving pain. Simply place a couple of wet black tea bags on the wound and let them draw the heat.
Using vitamin C and vitamin E to treat a burn
Vitamin C plays a part in the synthesis of collagen thereby promoting the healing of wounds. Vitamin E, on the other hand, is an antioxidant, which means it can as well help with skin repair. Eating foods rich in such vitamins will help speed up the healing of burns.
Which burn remedies should you avoid?
Home remedies to stay away from
There are some burn treatments that have been wrongfully passed down other generations. In reality, these remedies do little good. In fact, they can even worsen the burn. Do not go for such remedies.
Should you put ice on a burn?
People usually rush for a packet of ice whenever they get burnt. They say they are trying to cool the burn. Ice is not good for your burn. Ice will only cause further irritation on the wound and can lead to a cold burn. You are better off using cool water.
Essential oils do not treat burns
Essential oils and other natural oils are very useful because of their versatility. It is for this that people believe they can be used on burns to treat them. To some degree, this is true, olive oil and coconut oil, for example, do some good. But these oils also trap the heat escaping from the burn. This will mean that the burn will not get room to cool off and hence making it worse.
Is toothpaste good for burns?
This is a controversial remedy for burns. Some people believe it helps; however, there is little scientific backing on that claim. Unsterile toothpaste can spread bacteria and cause infection on the burn.
Butter does not treat burns
There is not enough research to justify the use of butter on burns. This popular remedy can worsen the burn. Butter traps the heat from the burn making it constantly hot and worsening its condition.
How severe are hot water burns and scalds?
The effects of boiling water burns
As established, these burns can be dangerous and very painful. The level of danger and pain depends on the seriousness of the burn. Scalds can be categorized depending on the damage as below:
Superficial epidermal burn
This is the least dangerous as it only affects the outermost layer of the skin which is the epidermis. The symptoms here include mild pain, swelling, and redness.
Superficial dermal burn
Here, the damage reaches the dermis. This is the second skin layer which has blood vessels, hair follicles, and nerve endings. The pain becomes greater, and you may experience mild blistering as well.
Partial-thickness burn
Here, the damage reaches deep into the dermis. Medical care may be necessary as the pain can be unbearable. In some instances, you might feel no pain at all. There will be swelling, blistering and your skin will turn red.
Full-thickness burn
As imagined, this is the worst. All the layers of the skin are affected, and it calls for immediate medical care. Your skin will be waxy or leathery and charred.
Preventing boiling water burns
These burns are mostly accidental and can easily be prevented. The important thing is to give the hot liquids extra attention and care especially if children are around.
To Prevent Scalds
- Test the water temperatures before giving a child a bath.
- Test the temperatures of beverages before giving it to children, the old, the sick, or before taking it yourself.
- Regulate the temperatures of water heaters.
- Move boiling water or hot liquid in a container away from the edge of tables and countertops.
- Supervise kids around hot liquids when for example washing their hands or showering.
- Keep children away from potential danger areas like the kitchen.
- Be careful when serving hot drinks or hot soups.
Conclusion on hot water burns remedies
The degree of a scald may not be apparent until after some time. But if the damage is minor, you can treat it at home. You need to quickly take action to contain the damage and then after use natural remedies to heal the burn or go for OTC products. With this, you will heal at home quickly. The good thing with scalds is that a lot of cases can be prevented. With a little more care and a watchful eye when kids are around all will be well. In case the burn wound is severe, go to the doctor.
