by Jackie Hart, MD
Q: Does aloe really help heal burns? Are there other natural, home remedies that might help in the case of a burn?
A: The first step in treating a burn is determining its severity:
With that said, there are many folk remedies, like aloe vera, that have a long history of use for burns in a variety of countries. One study in Thailand found that aloe helped first and second degree burns heal more quickly compared to no treatment at all. While this finding is promising, it doesn't indicate if aloe is better than, no different from, or worse than standard therapy with a topical medication such as silver sulfadiazine or bacitracin.
In India, the application of honey was studied in a group of 100 people with burns. Half were given honey and half were given the medication silver sulfadiazine. Those in the honey group healed better than those receiving silver sulfadiazine. Mashed papaya is used in The Gambia, Africa, particularly when medications are not available; it has shown some clinical success in that country as well, although no comparison has been done to standard Western treatment.
Tea tree oil, however, another substance used commonly in Australia, has not proven effective for the treatment of burns in clinical studies. There is also some concern that tea tree oil may actually slow the healing process.
Finally, for people recovering from serious burns, acupuncture, massage, and physical therapy can all be very helpful during recuperation.
Q: Does aloe really help heal burns? Are there other natural, home remedies that might help in the case of a burn?
A: The first step in treating a burn is determining its severity:
- First degree burn - minor, superficial burn. This type may be quite painful and red, but the skin is still intact, which distinguishes it from a more serious burn.
- Second degree burn - causes blisters on the skin
- Third degree burn or full thickness burn - the skin may appear charred, but there is little if any pain because the nerve fibers are damaged.
With that said, there are many folk remedies, like aloe vera, that have a long history of use for burns in a variety of countries. One study in Thailand found that aloe helped first and second degree burns heal more quickly compared to no treatment at all. While this finding is promising, it doesn't indicate if aloe is better than, no different from, or worse than standard therapy with a topical medication such as silver sulfadiazine or bacitracin.
In India, the application of honey was studied in a group of 100 people with burns. Half were given honey and half were given the medication silver sulfadiazine. Those in the honey group healed better than those receiving silver sulfadiazine. Mashed papaya is used in The Gambia, Africa, particularly when medications are not available; it has shown some clinical success in that country as well, although no comparison has been done to standard Western treatment.
Tea tree oil, however, another substance used commonly in Australia, has not proven effective for the treatment of burns in clinical studies. There is also some concern that tea tree oil may actually slow the healing process.
Finally, for people recovering from serious burns, acupuncture, massage, and physical therapy can all be very helpful during recuperation.