Skin burns: causes, complications and main treatments in 2023

Treating skin burns

Some simple measures can relieve skin burns, such as bathing in cold water, taking aspirin for pain, avoiding peeling the burned area and moisturizing it. Other treatments can be applied to the burned area to relieve it, including:

Malibu Ice Blue After Sun Gel, 200 ml

Malibu Ice Blue After Sun Gel, 200 ml, moisturizes and soothes skin after sun exposure. It contains active ingredients that hydrate and soothe and provides a refreshing feeling. Its benefits include:

• Active ingredients moisturize skin after sun exposure, improve hydration and restore balance, leaving it soft and refreshed.
• The gel cools sun-exposed, burned skin and provides a soothing, refreshing sensation, reducing heat and redness caused by sunlight.
• It contains ingredients that soothe irritation and inflammation after sun exposure and improve comfort.

Mebo ointment, 30 mg

Mebo is a medical ointment designed particularly for skin burns. Its active formula is also used after laser skin resurfacing and for cracked nipples and heels. It helps wounds heal. Its uses include:

• Treating first- through third-degree skin burns.
• Following chemical skin peels.
• Following laser skin resurfacing.
• Cracked heels.
• Cracked nipples.
• Treating and healing wounds.

Bepanthen Plus Cream, 30 g

Bepanthen is a soothing, antiseptic skin cream. Its formula maintains moisture and prevents dryness, irritation and redness. It also helps treat minor skin wounds and cracks by disinfecting them and supporting healing.

Malibu Aloe Vera After Sun Gel Spray, 175 ml

Malibu Aloe Vera Gel moisturizes and soothes skin after sun exposure. Its natural aloe vera extract reduces irritation and excess heat and restores moisture. It comes as an easy-to-use spray.

Treating skin burns at home

Skin burns are a summer condition affecting different people. Home treatments include:

Cold water

Putting the burned area under cold tap water is the first step to prevent the burn worsening. Do this for around twenty minutes.

Cold compresses

Cold compresses on the affected area help reduce pain and swelling. Use them intermittently, for five to fifteen minutes at a time.

Aloe vera gel

Aloe vera is often called the burn plant because it is effective in helping burns heal and treating inflammation.

Honey

Honey is one of the best natural remedies for treating and relieving skin burns at home because it has antifungal, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It is applied directly to the burn to treat it in a completely safe and natural way.

Vanilla

Vanilla extract can reduce the severity and pain of a burn. Apply it with cotton wool, gently patting the burned area.

Black tea bags

Black tea contains tannic acid, which helps draw heat from burns and relieve pain. Place two or three black tea bags on the affected area and hold them in place with gauze.

Causes of skin burns

Skin burns are tissue damage caused by prolonged exposure to sunlight, intense heat, other radiation or chemicals. They may be mild or serious and life-threatening. Causes include:

• Fire.
• Hot steam or liquids.
• Hot metal.
• Hot glass.
• Electric currents.
• X-ray radiation.
• Sun exposure.
• Ultraviolet rays.
• Chemicals such as gasoline, strong acids, paint thinner and lye.

Preventing skin burns

High temperatures can expose skin to burns and other damage, especially when people spend a long time in the sun for work or at the beach during a summer holiday. Ways to prevent summer burns include:

• Use sunblock suited to your skin type, particularly on exposed areas not covered by clothing.
• Wear protective sunglasses to guard against harmful sunlight.
• Wear loose cotton clothing to protect skin from ultraviolet rays.
• Avoid prolonged sun exposure and sit in the shade whenever possible.
• Drink plenty of water to maintain hydration and prevent dehydration.
• Both children and adults should wear hats to protect against harmful sunlight.
• Avoid entering the sea when sunlight is intense to prevent skin burns.

Complications of skin burns

Extensive or deep burns can cause complications including:

• Bacterial infection that can lead to a bloodstream infection.
• Loss of body fluids, including reduced blood volume.
• A dangerous drop in body temperature.
• Breathing problems from inhaling smoke or hot air.
• Scarring.
• Joint and bone problems, for example when scar tissue tightens or shortens muscles, skin and tendons.

If you suffer a skin burn, do not use any medicine to treat it before consulting a doctor. You can order these medicines online from Spirit Pharmacy, the best pharmacy in Kuwait.