Getting a burn on any part of your body can be painful, especially based on its severity. When we get a burn, we may try to use homeopathic remedies as treatment. However, some of these homeopathic burn treatment options are either not recommended or have little to no research on whether they help or improve the healing process.

Here are some burn treatment myths and the facts to help you treat your burn wounds properly and avoid using potentially harmful remedies:

Myth #1: Using cold water to stop the burning process

A burn injury can damage your skin and disrupt or impair your body’s natural ability to regulate its temperature. This is why, after getting a burn, such as a sunburn, you may get cold more easily despite your skin feeling hot to the touch. Those who experience more severe burns are not only unable to regulate their body temperature but are at an increased risk of developing hypothermia.

Instead, use slightly warm or tepid water to rinse the affected area for 15-20 minutes before washing the burn with a gentle soap. Hot water should be avoided entirely because it can cause pain or make the burn worse.

Myth #2: Using ice to numb the burned area, cool it down, or reduce the swelling

Ice is not an effective way to treat a burn and shouldn’t be used, as it can irritate the burn and cause more damage to the wound bed. Ice also stops blood flow via vasoconstriction, which can worsen the injury.

Instead, run a towel under tepid water and wring it out so it isn’t soaking wet. Place the damp towel on the burn for ten-minute intervals to reduce swelling and pain. Be sure not to do this too often, as keeping the burn moist may promote the onset of infection.

Myth #3: Using butter and cooking oils to heal burns

Butter and cooking oils should not be used to treat burns. They can make the burn worse by trapping heat, keeping the area hot, and creating an environment that is conducive to bacterial infection.

Instead, use burn creams and antibiotic ointments to create a barrier between the wound bed and the outside environment to help prevent infection. Apply these creams and ointments directly to the affected area, then cover or wrap it with a dry, sterile bandage. Change the bandage often, as a dirty bandage promotes infection.

Myth #4: Using toothpaste to relieve pain from burns

Toothpaste often contains mint ingredients or flavoring, and this cooling sensation mimics the effects of lidocaine found in topical pain-relieving gels and creams. It isn’t recommended to put lidocaine or mint products such as toothpaste on burns, especially second- or third-degree burns, as it will make the wound painful, uncomfortable, and irritated. Additionally, toothpaste is not sanitary enough to put on any open wound and may increase the risk of infection.

Instead, use aloe vera, as it is the most natural treatment for minor burns because of its healing capabilities. Aloe vera reduces inflammation, promotes circulation, reduces bacterial colonization, and helps heal the affected area faster.

Myth #5: Using milk, flour, or egg whites to treat burns

When you eat a very spicy meal and your tongue is burning, you can drink milk to cool the burning sensation. However, putting milk on a burn may encourage infection of the wound bed, as it comes with the risk of certain harmful pathogens, such as Brucella, E. coli, Listeria, and Salmonella. Raw flour, like milk, is associated with the harmful pathogens Salmonella and E. coli. It also comes with the risk of infection, as it can dirty the wound, making it harder to clean and disinfect. Additionally, no evidence that applying eggs to a burn helps heal the wound. Using eggs to treat a burn carries the risk of salmonella poisoning, bacterial infection, and allergic reaction.

Instead, use cool water to clean the wound, and apply aloe vera, burn creams, or antibiotic ointments to help the wound heal.

Myth # 6: Using rubbing or drinking alcohol to sterilize a burn wound, and popping blisters

It may seem like a good idea to use rubbing or even drinking alcohol to sterilize a burn wound. However, they should not be used as an antibacterial solution, as they can irritate the burn, cause pain, and kill beneficial bacteria. Alcohol is also highly flammable and can catch fire if you are still near the source of the burn. Popping blisters can increase the risk of developing an infection. Blisters are not like pimples. The fluid buildup in the blister is the immune system’s attempt to protect you from further damage and infection.

Instead, use cool water to flush the wound and an antiseptic for burns to sterilize it. Also, avoid popping blisters. A healthcare provider who specializes in burns may pop the blisters for other clinical care.

If you are suffering from a burn injury and need treatment, you can schedule an appointment with a physician at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. Please call (718) 206-7001.

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All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.