For burn injuries, what doctors advise to use
Applying toothpaste or oil to a burn and rubbing ice on it may seem like standard cures. But these actions may really cause more harm than good.
It is preferable to keep the burned area under flowing water until the pain subsides, in contrast to the conventional approach of applying toothpaste or pressing ice on it.
Experts at the ongoing medical education event WOUNDCON 2024, organised by the Society for Wound Care and Research at King George’s Medical University (KGMU), stated that this is the recommended course of action in the event of burns.
While applying toothpaste or oil to a burn and rubbing ice on it may seem like standard cures, Prof. Brijesh Mishra of KGMU’s plastic surgery department says that these actions may really cause more harm than good.
According to Mishra, “oil traps heat, making burns harder to cool; ice can freeze the skin and halt blood flow; toothpaste has hard ingredients like calcium and peppermint that can worsen burns.” However, she cautioned that using these products increases the risk of infection.
Prof. Vijay Verma, head of KGMU’s plastic surgery department, gave the following advice: “In the event of serious burns, the best course of action is to clean the damaged area under running water, cover with fresh bed linens, and seek medical attention right away. Healing damaged skin, muscles, and tissues requires increasing consumption of protein and water. Apply a sterile bandage or clean cloth to electrical burns; stay away from blankets and towels to keep fibres from adhering to the damaged skin.
Another plastic surgeon, Dr. K.S. Murthy, emphasised the effectiveness of fish skin products in mending burn wounds. “Fat collagen acids and omega fats found in fish skin care products are now accessible in pure forms. When applied to wounds, they exhibit encouraging outcomes,” he continued.
