Monitoring, June 20 (INP) - Burns are classified according to the severity. Some burns can be treated at home, and others need medical attention. It is important to know which home remedies are suitable, and also to recognize when to have a burn treated by a doctor, as complications can arise. How severe is the burn? Burns can be described in four categories: • First degree: the least severe burn, which affects only the outer layer of skin. • Second degree: the second-least severe burn, which affects deeper layers of skin. • Third degree: second-most severe burn, which affects all layers of the skin. • Fourth degree: the most severe burn, which causes damage to bones and joints. First- and second-degree burns can often be treated at home. Usually, there are no complications and healing will occur with minimal intervention. Scalds are burns caused by a hot liquid and are rated in the same way. A first-degree burn will typically heal within 7 to 10 days. A second-degree burn usually heals within 2 to 3 weeks. A person should watch for signs of additional infection that may require further medical attention. Typical signs and symptoms of first-degree burns are: • redness • tenderness or pain • minor swelling • peeling as the burn heals Signs of second-degree burns include: • extreme redness • very sore or painful skin • blisters that may break and ooze Eight home remedies Running cool water over the burn or scald immediately after it occurs is a well-known and effective treatment. There are many potential home remedies for burns that people can try. Unfortunately, some suggested remedies are not effective and can potentially cause the burn to get worse. Home remedies to use to effectively and safely treat first-degree and second-degree burns at home include the following: 1. Running the burn under cool water Running cool water over a first-degree or second-degree burn can both soothe and prevent further injury from the burn.Running cool water over the burn for about 20 minutes will cool the skin down. This remedy does two things. It reduces or removes the pain from the burn. It also stops the burn from getting worse and affecting deeper levels of the skin. 2. Clean the burn After running the burn under cool water, it is essential to clean the burn thoroughly. People should use a mild antibacterial soap and not scrub. Cleaning the burn will help prevent infection, which can complicate the healing of the burn and require medical attention. 3. Bandages Minor first-degree burns are not likely to require a bandage. Even second-degree burns with unopened blisters may not need a bandage. If the position of the burn is likely to cause chafing or means that dirt can easily get in, however, a bandage may be needed. In the case of oozing blisters, covering the burn with a bandage can help prevent dirt or infections from getting into the burn. It is important to wrap the burn loosely and not apply sticky bandages directly on the wound itself. Severe cases of sunburn can cause blisters to form. Learn more about this symptom and how to treat it here. 4. Antibiotics When a burn has open blisters, a person may want to use antibiotic creams and ointments. Antibiotic creams may help prevent the wound from getting infected and help the burn heal faster. 5. Over-the-counter pain medications Even first-degree and second-degree burns are painful until they heal. A person may wish to take medication to help reduce the pain and swelling. Ibuprofen is a good choice as both a pain-reliever and anti-inflammatory drug. 6. Stay out of the sun Keeping a burn shaded when outside can help reduce both pain and the risk of worsening the burn. If a person cannot avoid the sun, wearing loose-fitting clothing that covers the wound may help. 7. Aloe vera Aloe vera is commonly available in many creams and moisturizers. Aloe vera has shown some potential promise in treating burns. The plant is a natural anti-inflammatory, promoting circulation and has antibacterial properties that stop bacteria from growing. 8. Honey Studies have shown that honey has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Honey bandages may help sterilize a burn and prevent infection. It can also soothe burned skin, easing some of the pain. Remedies to avoid While coconut oil is a popular remedy for a range of skin conditions, it should not be used to treat burns. Many so-called burn treatment have been passed down through generations. Some of these are not only ineffective, but they could also make a burn worse. The following should not be used: Oils Many people have claimed that essential oils and some common cooking oils, such as coconut and olive oil, are helpful for burns. However, oils trap heat, preventing the heat from the burn escaping. Trapping the heat can cause the burn to get worse instead of better. Essential oils are often boasted to heal all kinds of skin and other conditions. Some research supports their use, but this comes from small-scale studies. No large-scale human studies have been carried out to examine the association between essential oil use and sunburn healing. Butter Many people think that rubbing butter over a burn will help a burn heal. Despite its popularity, butter acts in a similar way to other oils in that it keeps heat in and may cause the burn to get worse. No evidence supports the use of butter as a burn treatment. Egg whites Some people believe spreading an uncooked egg white on a burn will help relieve the pain. However, there is no evidence that uncooked egg helps. In fact, it is more likely that the egg will aide in spreading bacteria to the burn. Ice Many people turn to ice before cool water to help with a burn, thinking that the cold temperature of the ice will do a more effective job in cooling the burned skin. However, ice can cause more harm than good and can irritate the burned skin further. In some extreme cases, a person may experience a cold burn from exposure to the ice. Toothpaste Some people believe applying toothpaste to a burn site can help. In fact, the unsterile toothpaste may actually help spread bacteria into the burn. Inp/khan