Burns are among the most common household injuries. It is characterized as an injury to the skin or other tissues caused by thermal whether by heat or by cold, electrical, chemical, friction or radiation. Most of them are due to heat from liquids, solids or fire which is thermal burns.
Most of us usually have big chances of acquiring burns with the things we do in our daily lives. For example, women can get burned skin while cooking, and men may get it at work especially when they deal with fire and electricity. Sometimes, no matter how hard we try to be careful we still end up being wounded because accidents still happen. This is why it’s important to be knowledgeable about burns and be prepared at all times.
Degrees of burns
Burns is defined by how deep the injury is which helps determine the appropriate treatment. Pain management for burns can be difficult because the treatment varies in type and severity of the burn. Here are the major burns that need the attention of a doctor.
First degree: shows redness of skin without blister
First degree burns are considered mild compared to other burns. It results in pain and reddening of the outer layer of the skin which is epidermis.
Second degree: has a partial thickness to the damaged skin and blisters are present
Second-degree burns affect the epidermis and the dermis which is the lower layer of the skin. It causes pain, redness, swelling, and blistering.
Third degree: full thickness to damaged skin and is white and leathery
Third-degree burns are wounds that affect the dermis and deeper tissues. It results in white or blackened charred skin that has a numb feeling.
Fourth degree: same as the third degree but with deeper damage to structures like tendons, joints or bones
Treatment
Treatment depends on the cause and degree of the burn. Most people can recover from burns without serious health consequences depending on the cause and degree of injury.
Serious burns require immediate emergency medical professional care to prevent complications. Major burns that cover large body parts may need more intensive treatments such as intravenous antibiotics to prevent infection. IV fluids are also recommended to replace the fluids that have been lost when the skin was burned.
The treatment for third-degree burns may require the process of skin grafting or the use of synthetic skin. Second-degree burns may be treated by applying an antibiotic cream or other cream or ointments that are prescribed by a doctor.
And first-degree burns are commonly treated by using mild skin care products like aloe vera cream. An antibiotic ointment and pain medication like acetaminophen or Tylenol are commonly used too. To help you out, we listed the best ointments and creams for treating burns.
1. Solarcaine
Solarcaine provides fast, cooling pain relief for sunburns and minor burns. It is an ointment that is specially formulated with lidocaine HCL to relieve pain and aloe vera to draw away the heat from the skin. It instantly cools and soothes sunburn while moisturizing to help reduce dryness.
Aside from being a pain reliever, it also has an itch relief for minor cuts, scrapes, insect bites, and minor skin irritations. It is a fragrance-free, non-stinging, non-irritating ointment. Solarcaine is available as a spray or a gel that does not leave a greasy residue.
2. Alocane Maximum Strength Emergency Room Burn Gel
Alocane is a water-based formula that is quickly absorbed deep into the layers of skin for faster results. It also has Aloe Vera for soothing relief and quick relief from itch and burning sensations. It also contains vitamin E that gives healing benefits with the lesser formation of scar tissues. Vitamin E also provides increased circulation that breaks down blood clots and helps prevent more from forming. It contains 4% of lidocaine HCL for maximum strength. This gel ointment is essential for first degree burns.
3. Ocean Potion Instant Burn Relief Ice
Ocean potion is enriched with lidocaine and aloe Vera as nature’s healer. It contains active ingredients such as aloe leaf extract, Montana flower extract, tea tree oil, menthol, and methylparaben. It also has lidocaine hydrochloride that acts as a topical anesthetic.
4. Pac-kit First Aid Burn Cream Packet
Pac-kit is a very convenient first aid for burns. It is perfect because it can be used as a refill for a kit. This cream packet helps prevent infection and provides temporary relief from the pain of minor cuts, scrapes, and burns.
5. Neosporin 512376900 Antibiotic Ointment
Neosporin helps prevent infections in wounds and provides pain relief. It contains bacitracin zinc, neomycin sulfate, and polymyxin B to fight infection for 24 hours. This ointment is used to relieve and protect minor cuts, scrapes, and burns. It contains maximum strength relief that soothes and reduces pain. The pain will be relieved instantly once you put it on.
6. Dermoplast First Aid Pain Relief Spray
Dermoplast’s active ingredient is benzocaine. It is formulated with 20% of benzocaine that provides fast relief of itchiness and pain that is associated with minor cuts, scrapes, insect bites, burns, sunburns, and other minor skin irritations. It also prevents infection in the affected area. It works on contact to prevent germs from entering the affected skin.
It moisturizes and soothes the skin with Aloe Vera content. Vitamin E is added to help the skin heal faster. The combination of Aloe Vera and vitamin E allows the affected skin moisturized as it heals.
It is a spray ointment for easier application and the affected area can be treated without the need to rub it in. Rubbing can further irritate the wound. This product is safe to use even for children 2 years and older. This is a must-have item in the first aid kit or emergency kit.
Burns are wounds that are painful which also tend to be itchy, and having them can affect our daily activities. Treatments for burns are a must and these products are a great aid to healing them. The mentioned ointments and creams are best to be included in your first aid or emergency kits. We hope that this list helps you a lot when it comes to dealing with burns.