Ointments against scalding

In addition to cooling, cooling or pain-relieving ointments are often used for scalds. However, their use is not entirely uncontroversial. In most cases, fresh scalding should be treated dry.

Simple wound dressings should be loosely applied for this purpose. Applying ointment to scalded skin is counterproductive here and should be avoided at all costs. Normal skin creams in particular are of little help with moderate scalding. Even special wound creams should not be used until the inflammation has largely healed and wound healing has begun. To be on the safe side, you can ask your pharmacist or family doctor whether and to what extent ointments can be helpful in the case of a light burn.

Household remedy against scalding

Slight and small area burns can be treated well by yourself. The focus is on cooling the affected area for a few minutes, but no more than 15 minutes, after the heat source has been removed immediately. This is primarily aimed at relieving the pain, but at the same time it also prevents the burn from spreading through hot tissue parts.

It is best to use cool, but not cold tap water. The ideal temperature is about 20 C° (room temperature). In any case, the water should be sterile to avoid infections.

The use of ice should be avoided, as this carries the risk of frostbite. Note: The application of household remedies such as skin creams, powders or even flour, oil or salt is definitely not recommended. Such substances lead to dehydration and in the worst case to inflammation of the skin, which is already susceptible to infections.

Once the scalding has been cooled, the best measure is to apply a loose dressing to the affected skin. The most suitable dressing for this is an aluminum-vaporized wound compress. If the wound begins to heal, special wound creams can be helpful. If the pain is severe or persistent, it is recommended to take painkillers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol according to the package insert.