Burn Treatment Colloidal Silver and Manuka Honey

This hub article is meant for treating 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd degree burns that are smaller than the size of the burn victims fist. This is also meant for the treatment of an adult who refuses to seek professional medical attention. Children should always receive proper emergency medical care for severe sunburns, 1^st degree burns that are larger than the child’s fist and any 2^nd or 3^rd degree burns no matter the size.

If you are on fire, remember to stop, drop and roll to smother the flames. Do not run or attempt to find water as this will only fuel the fire and cause more severe burning and possibly death. If you see someone on fire, immediately call 911 and try to persuade the victim to stop, drop and roll. It is said that you should not try to force the victim to the ground as you too may catch on fire. Personally, if I am able, I’m going to grab a fire extinguisher or a blanket and do what I can to put the person out.

If ever you or someone you know receives a small burn, the first thing you should do is immediately hold the burned area under cool water for at least five minutes. Do not submerge the burned area in ice water as this may cause your body to go into shock.

Never apply butter, aloe, oil or ointment (even burn ointment) to a fresh burn. These products will trap the heat and cause the burn to go even deeper. A 1^st degree burn can become a 3^rd degree burn if treated improperly.

After running the burn under cool water, it’s time to assess the damage and determine if medical attention is necessary. As stated above any burn larger than the size of the victims fist or any 3^rd degree burn, should be evaluated by a medical professional.

1^st Degree Burn

First degree burns affect the upper most layer of the skins surface called the epidermis. They are usually accompanied by swelling, redness and pain (especially to the touch).

2^nd Degree Burn

Second degree burns affect the top layer and deeper layers of the skin called the epidermis and the dermis. These burns are extremely painful, very red, blistered and moist in appearance. This type of burn should be carefully monitored as loss of fluid and drops in blood pressure can occur. If a second degree burn is on the face, hands, feet or genitals seek immediate medical attention.

3^rd Degree Burn

Like second degree burns, third degree burns affect the epidermis and the dermis, but also affect the nerves underneath. The burn itself is usually painless due to damage of the nerves, however the surrounding area may be extremely painful. The burn is characterized by charring (blackening) and/or whiteness of the skin, redness, swelling and blisters. Please seek medical attention if you believe the burn is third degree.

I recently discovered two natural products that I will be keeping in my first aid box for burns - Colloidal Silver and Manuka Honey. Colloidal Silver is now being used in burn units. It has been found to promote the healing process of burned skin and fight secondary infection including the antibiotic resistant MRSA. Colloidal Silver comes in a spray or liquid form and can be found at health food and herbal medicine shops. I recommend the spray for burns. Manuka Honey is produced by bees that feed off the Tea Tree Bush found in New Zealand. It has strong antibiotic properties and has been found to help rapidly heal burns with little to no scarring. Manuka Honey can also be found at health food and herbal medicine shops.

Again, please seek medical attention for severe burning as the likelihood of nerve damage as well as secondary infections such as staph and MRSA are high. For lesser burns or those who refuse medical care use the following treatment.

1) Immediately run cool water over the burned area for at least 5- 15 minutes. This will help alleviate some of the pain as well as the swelling.

2) Allow burned area to air dry then apply a few sprays of Colloidal Silver directly to the affected area.

3) Cover the affected area with a sterile non-stick gauze or bandage.

4) Repeat steps 1 - 3 for the four times per day for the first two days.

5) On the third day repeat steps 1 and 2 then allow the Colloidal Silver to dry. Apply the Manuka Honey to the affected area and cover. Do this twice a day for two days.

6) On the fifth day you can continue to use the Colloidal Silver and Manuka Honey, but should not need to cover the area with a bandage.

Never rupture any blisters !! Rupturing blisters leads to secondary infection as well as deep scarring. The blister is there to protect the skin and will eventually go away on it’s own.

Two weeks ago my husband had an unfortunate accident and sustained three half-dollar sized 2^nd and 3^rd degree burns on the right forearm. He refused medical attention and thus made several mistakes in treating the burns. First, he applied a thick layer of aloe to the burns, this caused the heat to be trapped and by the end of the day his entire arm was extremely hot to the touch. He began to feel very ill and eventually ran a fever. He still refused medical attention. Then he decided to rupture the blisters (mistake number two). Within a couple of days, my husband had staph infection around his entire forearm. At this point, he began to get scared and thought he should see a doctor, but then against better judgment decided to give it a few more days.

I decided to investigate herbal burn and infection treatments and stumbled upon an ad for Manuka Honey burn ointment. Later that day I went to the local Nature’s Den to purchase a jar of the stuff. One of the staff members at Nature’s Den looked up burn care and suggested that I also buy the Colloidal Silver. I’m so glad I did!! Within three days the staff infection cleared right up and the burns finally began to heal.