There are many ways to receive a burn including fire or heat, chemicals, steam, and electricity. It is crucial to remember to remove the person from the source of the burn without jeopardising yourself or others – especially in the case of electricity. Evaluate the skin damage and ascertain if it is first, second or third degree burns. If it is third degree, call for emergency assistance and keep the individual calm as possible.

Burns are classified by degrees: first degree, second degree or third degree. A first-degree burn affects only the top layer of skin, and the affected area of skin is red and painful. Sunburn is typically a first-degree burn, although there have been more severe sunburn cases. A second-degree burn goes beyond the top layer of skin, is red, extremely painful and involves blistering. Third degree burns are very serious, can destroy muscle and other tissues, and do not usually involve pain because the nerves which would normally report the pain to the brain are severely damaged.

With third-degree burns, the skin is generally white or red and can easily become infected. If the skin is not properly cared for, a third degree burn may turn the skin yellow or black. In severe cases, skin grafts are needed to replace the skin which was lost until the body can heal itself. It’s important to not attempt to treat third degree burns but to wait for professional medical personnel in order to not cause further damage.

Herbs and other homeopathic medicines can help pain and healing of first and second-degree burns. When a burn occurs, the first thing you should do is hold the burned area under cool, running water for at least 10 minutes and then wrap it in a towel that is around ice. You can apply fresh aloe vera and/or pure Lavender oil (neat – or undiluted) to provide instant pain relief as well as to aid in healing the skin under the burn. Aloe vera can help to prevent blisters from forming and may also lessen scarring.

To use a fresh aloe plant, break off one dagger-shaped leaf and split it open length-wise. Now apply some of the aloe gel oozing out of the leaf directly on the burned skin. Apply aloe vera as needed (or whenever you change the wound dressing) and cover the area lightly with a sterile gauze or clean cloth to keep dirt and germs out of the area.

You can also use colloidal silver, which is a natural antibiotic and disinfectant, on a burn in spray form. Lotions with Vitamin A and Vitamin E are very healing for the skin and can be used during the second stage of healing after any blistering is gone. Vitamin E is frequently used to prevent scarring. Take oral vitamin C, with bioflavonoids due to the fact that vitamin C is an antioxidant and is used in collagen formation.