Calling all grill masters....
This post is brought to you by my own mental gaffe.
If you stop by my house on any given weekend in the summer, you’ll likely find me in front of the grill. My favorite past time is enjoying hot, fresh food with my friends and family as the little ones splash around in the pool. You may even catch us listening to the Cincinnati Reds game on the radio. Sounds like the perfect day if you ask me.
Until of course, the grill fights back. My grill of choice is the Blackstone. I love the versatility of the flat griddle top. (NO, this isn’t an ad for black-stone grills.) It should go without saying that extreme caution needs to be taken when cooking on a hot, open surface.
But to err is to be human. And I am nothing else if not human. In my most recent highlight reel, I was using a stick of butter to grease the griddle top. I miscalculated how quickly the griddle top would melt through the stick and quickly found my fingers in direct contact with the 400 degree cook surface.
Luckily, my cat-like reflexes allowed me to withdraw my hand at world record speed. But not before a nice thermal burn set in.
While most folks would have immediately considered what first aid actions they needed to take. Not me…I thought, “hey, I should write about this!” You’re welcome…
I’d venture to say every single person that has ever walked this earth has experienced an uncomfortable burn. My first teenage job had a food court. We served pizza, popcorn, nachos and hotdogs. I burned myself there a time or two.
My second job was at a fast food restaurant. We served chili spaghetti and cheese coneys. I definitely burned myself there. I also worked in a bakery during college… I think you get my point.
Burns are frustratingly common, nearly 1 million reported occurrences in the U.S. annually. Thankfully, most of these burns are similar to the ones that I’ve experienced over the years and are so mild that they don’t require medical attention.
The purpose of this blog post will be to highlight these minor thermal burns. The ones that are uncomfortable enough to have you searching for tips and tricks to treat them but not so serious that you need a trip to the hospital.
If you’re not sure if your burn crosses that threshold from minor to moderate or severe I would recommend erring on the side of caution and getting it checked out.
Types of burns?
As always, I like to define what we’re talking about. My personal story is referring to a thermal burn.
A thermal burn is a burn that occurs from exposure to a heat source. This doesn’t have to be just a hot cooktop. It can be from hot liquids or steam as well.
While we’re mostly going to be discussing these types of burns here. It’s worth knowing about the other burn types as well.
A radiation burn is another very common burn type. We probably most commonly see this with sunburns.” I may do a separate post about sunburns, that way I can share a funny story about my wife. 🙂
Chemical and electrical burns can be very dangerous. An example of these would be acid exposure or contact with a live electrical wire respectively.
A friction burn could occur from something like road rash or rug burn. There are also cold burns, such as frostbite.
Characterization of burns?
Some burns are hard to characterize. As some can produce injuries that aren’t initially seen.
For example, an electrical burn can produce internal injuries. For burns that you can more easily visualize, we try to classify as first, second or third degree.
I think most folks are likely familiar with this terminology, but may not be aware of what distinguishes them apart.
First degree burns involve only the epidermis, or outermost layer of skin. These burns don’t typically blister. They do however become red and will exhibit some minor inflammation. These will usually heal in less than 1 week.
A second degree burn involves the epidermis and a portion of the dermis which is the next layer of skin. These burns often blister relatively quickly and typically heal within 2-3 weeks. When I was in medical school I was taught that an early blister is often the sign of a more superficial second degree burn while a late blister can be seen in a deeper burn.
A third degree burn is one in which the burn extends all the way through the dermis and into the deeper tissue. These burns require immediate medical attention. Interestingly these burns can sometimes be less painful as nerve damage can occur and ultimately anesthetize the area.
Concerning burn features
Burns involving the hands/face/and perineum need to be take seriously. Significant disability can result from delayed treatment for these.
Burns involving major joints are also a concern.
An inhalation burn can be very concerning as inflammation and swelling of the airway can ensue.
8 Natural ways to treat mild thermal burns
- Cool Water
– It’s important to cool the burn. But make sure the water isn’t too cold. As this can actually make things worse. Immediately run cool water over the burn for 10-15 minutes. This helps to reduce the temperature of the skin and prevent further damage.
- Aloe Vera
– Apply pure aloe vera gel directly to the burn. Aloe vera has anti-inflammatory properties and helps in soothing the skin. Try to make sure the aloe vera is free of scents or any other additives.
- Honey
– Honey has antimicrobial properties so applying a thin layer, covered with a sterile cause and help reduce inflammation and promote healing. Ensure to change the dressing daily.
- Coconut Oil
– Once the burn is cooled you can try applying a small amount of virgin coconut oil to the burn. It can help keep the skin moisturized and reduce the risk of infection due to its antimicrobial properties.
- Tea Bags
– Soak a black tea bag in cool water and place it on the burn. The tannic acid in tea helps to draw heat out of the burn and reduce pain.
6. Vinegar
– Dilute white vinegar with equal parts water and use a clean cloth to apply it to the burn. Vinegar can help to alleviate pain, prevent infection, and cool the burn. Although make sure it’s dilute and vinegar by itself can be too harsh.
- Oatmeal
– Add finely ground oatmeal to a cool bath and soak the burned area. Oatmeal can help to soothe irritated skin and reduce itching.
- Calendula Cream
– Apply calendula cream or ointment to the burn. Calendula is known for its anti-inflammatory and healing properties.
A few additional notes
Don’t pop any blisters that form within a burn as this can increase the risk of infection. If a blister does open up we recommend cleaning with mild soap and water.
Stay very hydrated if you experience burns. While it’s unusual to become dehydrated with a mild thermal burn, a deeper burn loses a lot of fluid and severe dehydration from this can be very dangerous
A Special Note from the Doctor:
A Note from the Doctor:
“Accidents happen—kitchen mishaps, campfire singes, you name it! But when life heats up a little too much, these remedies can help cool things down. Treat your burns with care, and remember: maybe let someone else handle the hot stuff for a while!”
Disclaimer:
The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of content found on this blog.
- If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately. Reliance on any information provided by this blog is solely at your own risk. The author(s) of this blog do not assume any liability for the information contained herein, be it direct, indirect, consequential, special, exemplary, or other damages.
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