ANECDOTAL FIRST AID IN BURNS:
LOG KEHTE HAIN (लोग कहते हैं)……
Winters, Diwali and Farm Fires all have one thing in common;
Men, Women & Children reporting to Clinics and Hospitals with Burns. And
the common denominator amongst them all is the statement, “Log Kehte Hain, Eise
Jaldi Aaram Milta Hai”.
Lets Take a look at the last 11 years of what 7 most common
things people have applied and come to the Plastic Surgeon as First Aid in
Burns and their logic behind it apart from Log Kehte Hain.
1. Toothpaste: Commonest
ointment to be applied
a. Advantages:
Ready at Hand in every home
b. Disadvantages:
i.
Increases Pain,
ii.
Increases chances of infection,
iii.
Painful to take off from burnt area,
iv.
Seals in heat underneath your skin layers, causing
more damage in the long run,
v.
Baking Soda in tooth paste delays healing.
c. Cosmic Tip:
Teeth Don’t get Burnt
2. Mehndi/
Henna: Almost all Indian households have a packet lying somewhere
a. Advantages:
Antiseptic, Soothing effect
b. Disadvantages:
i.
It Itself Causes Chemical Burns,
ii.
Better for wounds and fungal infections than burns,
iii.
Crusting and difficult to remove once dry
c. Cosmic Tip:
Looks Beautiful on Hands
3. Halwaii Ki
Dawai
a. Advantages:
Log Kehte Hain
b. Disadvantages:
i.
Infections,
ii.
Delay in healing,
iii.
In one child we had to amputate 2 toes because of the
infection
c. Cosmic Tip:
Halwaii’s creations should be Ingested not Applied
4. Rattanjot: A Powerful
Ayurvedic Herb
a. Advantages:
i.
Cooling effect,
ii.
Antiseptic properties
b. Disadvantages:
i.
Causes of extension of surface and depth of burn wounds
in acute stage,
ii.
Black tattooing of the skin if not removed in time
c. Cosmic Tip:
Not First Aid, it’s the Last Aid (Better with oils and for burn scars)
5. Babaji Ka
Lep: Wrapped in a specific kind of cloth
a. Advantages:
Trust Heals
b. Disadvantages:
i.
Infections,
ii.
Extension of burns, Sepsis, Prolonged healing
c. Cosmic Tip:
India Runs on faith, Do You?
6. Egg White
a. Advantages:
Soothing efect
b. Disadvantages:
Causes Salmonella Infection
c. Cosmic Tip:
Its healthier when you eat it.
7. Leaves
a. Advantages:
Covers the wounds
b. Disadvantages:
i.
Infections,
ii.
Local Allergies
iii.
Extension of burn wounds,
c. Cosmic Tip:
Even Mud Has Healing Powers………
One Often Feels at a Loss as to if none of the above should be done,
Then what should actually be done.
You may refer to https://drashishgupta.blogspot.com/2020/11/how-to-build-first-aid-kit-for-minor.html for what all things in the house you may actually use as First aid in Minor Burns.
Help is Always at Hand.
DR. ASHISH GUPTA
Senior Consultant Plastic Surgeon
Ludhiana
+91-9779771111
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