Ouch! You've Burned Your Hand on a Pan of Brownies: Now What?
Wellness & SelfcareHealthy Living

Ouch! You've Burned Your Hand on a Pan of Brownies: Now What?

Ouch! Your finger brushed a pan of brownies just out of the 350-degree oven. Will those brownies taste good enough to make up for that angry red spot glowing on your finger? You’ve probably got yourself a first-degree burn, the kind that affects only the epidermis, the outermost layer of skin. In a couple of days it will peel.

If you really pressed the pan, or worse, the oven rack, you may have a second-degree burn, the kind that extends into the dermis, or bottom layer of skin. Along with turning skin red, it raises blisters.

In either case, it’s important to act fast. Quickly plunge that finger into cool water for about five minutes for a first-degree burn, 10 minutes for a second-degree burn. Do not use ice; it could damage tissue. If you happen to have burned a wrist or arm with clothing that sticks to the burn, immerse the entire area into cool water.

Next, be sure to wash the burned area with mild soap and water. Then cover it with sterile gauze. The burn effect doesn’t stop right away; it actually progresses for another 24 to 48 hours, in an evolution of redness, possible blisters, and peeling. Only after it has cooled is it OK to apply an antibacterial ointment or herbal salve, such as the time-tested Aloe vera recipe below.

Don’t slather on the butter! That’s an old wives’ tale and an anti-remedy. Butter retains heat and may be contaminated with bacteria.

The first week in February is Burn Awareness Week sponsored by the American Burn Association. Community educators reach out to raise awareness for prevention and treatment of these minor burns and worse, those occurring from ultraviolet light, hot liquids, fire, electricity, and chemicals.

A third-degree burn is drastic. Called a full-thickness burn, it destroys skin and reaches underlying tissues. Nerves are damaged, causing numbness. Skin may be white or charred. Immediately call 911.

For less serious burns, once the burn has cooled, try the aloe remedy below. It’s survived the test of time, when other ancient cures for burns, including cow dung, beeswax, bear fat, eggs, and lard, landed in the anti-remedy bin. Like butter, those retained heat or were contaminated with bacteria.

Aloe vera gel inhibits pain-producing substances. It is anti-inflammatory, promotes circulation, and inhibits bacteria and fungi. Studies show that it speeds healing of burns and wounds, and helps the survival of tissue after frostbite. It’s even more effective when paired with lavender essential oil, also anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, antibacterial, and antifungal. You’ll find both at your local health food store. Make sure the aloe product is at least 90 percent aloe gel—only the gel inside the leaf is included.

  1. In a small sterile bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of Aloe vera gel with 10 drops lavender essential oil.
  2. Apply the paste as needed throughout the day, tightly covering the mixture between uses. You’ll have enough for several applications for a small burn.

Along with aloe, another winning ancient remedy in our book 500 Time-Tested Home Remedies is spreading a minor burn with honey.

Stay well and safe,

The Remedy Chicks

Important: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not Everyday Health.

Meet Our Experts
See Our Editorial PolicyMeet Our Health Expert Network

Linda W, Barbara S, and Barbara B G

Author

Linda B. White, M.D., received her B.S. and M.S. degrees from Stanford University and her M.D. from the University of California, San Diego. She completed two years of residency training at the University of Colorado. Since then, she has written countless magazine articles on health, authored a textbook called “Health Now: An Integrative Approach to Personal Health,” and coauthored “Kids, Herbs, & Health,” “The Herbal Drugstore,” and “500 Time-Tested Home Remedies and the Science Behind Them.” She was the medical consultant for National Geographic’s “Guide to Medicinal Herbs” and served as a contributor and medical advisor for National Geographic’s “Complete Guide to Natural Home Remedies.” She also developed curricula and taught in the Integrative Therapies Program at Metropolitan State University of Denver. After a long battle with stage IV lung cancer, Linda died on February 27, 2016.

Barbara H. Seeber is a graduate of the University of Texas and Columbia University. A National Geographic writer and editor and award-winning feature writer, she is a 30-year veteran of the publishing world. Her articles have appeared in Science ’80-’86, Horticulture, and Garden Design, along with a number of National Geographic Society publications. Her work has focused on horticulture, herbs, herbal remedies, and integrative medicine. As an editor for National Georgraphic Books, she helped launch a number of titles in National Georgraphic’s line of health books, including Desk Reference to Nature’s Medicine and Guide to Medicinal Herbs, along with People’s Pharmacy Quick & Handy Home Remedies and Complete Guide to Natural Home Remedies. She is also a fiction writer whose forthcoming novel, The Empresario’s Wife, will be published in 2014. She lives in Washington, D.C.

Barbara Brownell Grogan is president of Rivanna Publishing Ventures, LLC and former editor in chief at National Geographic Books. She received a BA from the University of Virginia and an MFA from the American University in Washington, D.C. She is also a graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, in New York City. At National Geographic she published bestselling books on history, science, space, and photography, and grew the health line of publications, including Desk Reference to Nature’s Medicine, Body: The Complete Human, Brainworks, Guide to Medicinal Herbs, and Quick & Handy Home Remedies by Peoples Pharmacy gurus Joe and Terry Graedon. Working with health and well-being experts to create accurate and cutting-edge insights into our bodies and how we keep them healthy is her passion and commitment.

See full bio
See Our Editorial PolicyMeet Our Health Expert Network