Chemical Burn Injuries - How To Treat Them?

Skin burns are the most common kind of injury that any person can encounter. The degree of the burn depends on its severity and the effects can vary accordingly. Burns caused from chemicals should be treated as medical emergencies because though most of them occur on the surface, some can also cause serious tissue damage.

What are chemical burns?

Chemical burns usually occur when the skin is exposed to toxic chemicals like acid, bleach, drain or toilet bowl cleaners, metal cleaners and pool chlorinators etc. The intensity of the damage depends on the strength or the concentration of the agent and the duration for which the skin remains exposed to it. Although unpredictable, sometimes the consequences are severe.

Here are five Ayurvedic treatments appropriate for treating burns caused due to chemicals.

1. Banana leaves- Banana leaves have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. They are highly beneficial to treat skin burn injuries. The method is to crush the banana or make it into a paste and then apply the juice over the injured area.
2. Egg whites- Egg whites can also assist in treating chemical burn injuries. Eggs are a good source of protein and they soothe the burn in no time. Immerse the burnt area in egg white and wait until the pain subsides. If the pain returns, repeat the procedure.
3. Onion Juice- Onions contain sulfur compounds and quercetin proven to mitigate pain, heal tissues and restore the skin. Applying onion juice can give relief from pain caused due to chemical burns and must be applied immediately after the juice is extracted.
4. Honey- Honey has exceptional wound care properties and can act as an effective balm for your injured skin. It also has medicinal properties, which can disinfect the burn. Applying honey helps to draw the fluids from the burnt tissue and keep the wound clean.
5. Vinegar- Vinegar has significant antiseptic properties. The wound should be properly rinsed with vinegar diluted with water in order to speed up the healing process.

Apart from this, Ayurveda also recommends products like mint leaves and tea bags, oatmeal, milk, lavender essential oils and aloe vera to medicate burns caused from chemicals. Besides too much spicy food should be avoided.