Exposure to the sun, boiling water, curling iron… Certain everyday activities can cause burns, the severity of which depends on the depth, location, area concerned and size. There are different degrees of burn:
- first degree burnwhich is characterized by red, dry and painful skin but without blisters;
- superficial second degree burnwhich is characterized in particular by the appearance of blisters filled with a clear liquid;
- deep second degree burnwhich is characterized by discoloration of the skin under the blisters and less sensitivity at the site of the lesions, which means that the nerve endings are affected;
- third degree burnwhich is characterized by whitish or brownish skin, without blisters and unresponsive, which means that the nerve endings are destroyed.
Burn: should you pierce a blister?
The first instinct to have in the event of a slight burn is to cool the affected area with running water. According to one study published in 2020 in the journal Annals of Emergency Medicinethe lesion should be left under water for 20 minutes.
In some cases, small blisters may appear after a burn. It may then be tempting to pierce it. Good or bad idea ? This reflex should be banned. And for good reason: it slows healing and increases the risk of infection, as highlighted by the National Health Service (NHS), the United Kingdom’s public health system. And for good reason: the blister acts as a sort of natural bandage. The rule is therefore to “do not pop the blisters” And “to cover them with a sterile dressing”we can read on the website of the Toulon intercommunal hospital center.
There is, however, an exception to the rule: if the blister is causing pain. “You should only pierce or cut the blister when it causes tension,” can we read on the website of the Fondation des Brûlés. You should then seek advice from your doctor.
How to naturally relieve a superficial burn?
In the event of a deep second degree or third degree burn, it is essential to call emergency services immediately. This is also the case if it affects the face, hands, neck, perineum, whether it concerns a baby, a young child, an elderly person or even if it affects more than 10% of the surface of the body. .
Even in the event of a superficial burn, it is best to consult your doctor. If it is mild, not very extensive and the blisters are few in number and small, it is possible to rely on certain natural remedies to promote healing in addition to the prescribed care.
The antibacterial and healing properties of aloe vera are no longer in doubt. To relieve a superficial burn, it is therefore possible to apply a small amount to the affected area with a light massage. “Cover everything with a compress to protect the blister and allow the active ingredients to penetrate well, then repeat morning, noon and evening until improvement”recommends Mathilde Villette, naturopath.
- Virgin St. John’s wort oil
Virgin St. John’s Wort oil also promotes skin regeneration. Again, apply a few drops to the affected area before placing a compress on it. Caution : “As St. John’s wort oil is photosensitizing, you should not expose yourself to the sun after its application, even if the area concerned is covered with a compress”underlines the naturopath.
- Lavender aspic essential oil
Soothing and healing, aspic lavender essential oil is an ally in the event of a superficial burn. It is possible to apply it pure by placing a few drops on the affected area, or to combine it with aloe vera or virgin St. John’s wort oil. To do this, “mix two to three drops of aspic lavender with a dab of aloe vera, or with a few drops of St. John’s wort, then apply to the blister before covering the area with a compress”suggests the naturopath.
- A compress of marigold flower infusion
To relieve a slight burn, you can also make a compress of marigold flower infusion, which has astringent and antiseptic properties. “In 25 cl of boiling water, infuse a tablespoon of flowers for 10 minutes, then leave to cool. Apply the compress to the affected area several times a day for an hour until healing”advises Mathilde Villette.
Burn: a suitable diet to promote healing
In case of superficial burns and small blisters, good hydration is essential. It is therefore advisable to drink abundantly in order to remineralize the body. But it can also be helpful to stock up on the right nutrients. In the form of food supplements or directly via food, they promote healing. The naturopath recommends in particular focusing on:
- THE zinc, which participates in the synthesis of keratin and collagen and is involved in healing. To fill up, you should focus on oysters, fish or even poultry.
- vitamin B5, which acts on tissue healing. It is advisable to focus on whole grains, mushrooms, egg yolk, dried vegetables and even brewer’s yeast.
- vitamin E, which also helps in the healing of wounds and burns. Foods that contain it? Avocado, seeds, nuts, tahini, or even vegetable oils such as soy, peanut or olive.
- there vitamin C, which promotes cell regeneration. It is found in particular in blackcurrant, lemon, strawberry, kiwi, orange, parsley, green leafy vegetables such as broccoli, sorrel, watercress and even cabbage.
- valine, which is an amino acid involved in tissue repair. To fill up, you should bet on chicken, parmesan, steak, gruyere, bacon, emmental, veal escalope, lupine, turkey or even goat cheese.
thanks to Mathilde Villettenaturopath, reflexologist, sophro-relaxologist and well-being practitioner.
Sources: the website ofHealth Insuranceof National Health Service (NHS), Toulon intercommunal hospital centerof the Burns Foundation and some Mayo Clinic.
Read also :