Proper first aid for a small burn is the first step to healing.
Hold the burned area under cool, but not cold, running water for 10 or 15 minutes or until the pain subsides. You can immerse the burn in cool water or cool it with cold compresses. Cooling the burn reduces swelling by conducting heat away from the skin. Don't put ice on the burn.
Avoid re-injuring or tanning if the burns are less than a year old — doing so may cause more extensive pigmentation changes. Use sunscreen on the area for at least a year.
Aloe vera gel, applied to a superficial burn, might effectively speed up healing. Some chemicals in aloe gel seem to be able to increase circulation in the tiny blood vessels in the skin, as well as kill bacteria.
Evidence is contradictory. One study suggests that aloe gel may actually delay wound healing.
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Hello Amylynn1003,
Thank you for your question.
Proper first aid for a small burn is the first step to healing.
Hold the burned area under cool, but not cold, running water for 10 or 15 minutes or until the pain subsides. You can immerse the burn in cool water or cool it with cold compresses. Cooling the burn reduces swelling by conducting heat away from the skin. Don't put ice on the burn.
Avoid re-injuring or tanning if the burns are less than a year old — doing so may cause more extensive pigmentation changes. Use sunscreen on the area for at least a year.
Aloe vera gel, applied to a superficial burn, might effectively speed up healing. Some chemicals in aloe gel seem to be able to increase circulation in the tiny blood vessels in the skin, as well as kill bacteria.
Evidence is contradictory. One study suggests that aloe gel may actually delay wound healing.
Regards,
October 29, 2014 - 8:38amMaryann
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