13 Soothing Remedies To Quickly Heal A Burn At Home

Hot oil splattering on your hands while cooking is so painful.

Most of us can relate to it, can’t we? At some point in our lives, we have accidentally suffered burns, which may be minor or major, and the pain caused can be equally severe. Knowing remedies to treat burns can really make a big difference in healing.

Home remedies can be very effective for minor burns. However, if the burn is severe, it is important to seek immediate medical attention.

In this article, we’ll explore some easy and effective remedies to treat burns. Most of the ingredients used in these remedies are likely already in your home, so let’s get started. 

How to Treat Burns at Home:

1. Aloe Vera
2. Coconut Oil
3. Apple Cider Vinegar
4. Colloidal Silver
5. Epsom Salt
6. Cold Water
7. Raw Potato
8. Onions
9. Turmeric
10. Mustard
11. Milk
12. Tea Bags
13. Vitamins

Home Remedies for Burns

The following remedies are intended for mild burns that can be treated at home. However, if the burn is severe or requires more than home care, please consult a doctor. 

If the burn has caused your skin to crack, or if there is an open wound that is seeping discharge, it is important to seek medical attention. 

These remedies are not suitable for open wounds or severe burns.

1. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera gel and its pulp are considered some of the best remedies for burns. Its effective soothing and cooling properties help alleviate pain and promote healing. Additionally, aloe vera has skin-repairing and anti-inflammatory properties, which are highly beneficial in treating burns.

Studies (R) have demonstrated the potency of aloe vera as an effective home remedy for burn treatment.

How to Use?

Method 1

1. Cut an aloe vera leaf and scoop out the pulp.
2. Mix the pulp in a small bowl with a few drops of soothing essential oil (optional).
3. Blend the mixture well.
4. Apply a light, thin layer of this mixture onto the burn.
5. Leave it on to soothe and heal the area.

Frequency: Apply 2-3 times daily until the burn heals completely.

Method 2

1. Cut an aloe vera leaf and scoop out the pulp.
2. Pour the aloe vera juice or pulp into an ice tray.
3. Freeze it until solid.
4. Take one aloe vera ice cube and gently place it over the burn.

Frequency: Use 2-3 times or as needed throughout the day for relief.

2. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil offers a multifaceted approach to treating burns at home. Its moisturizing properties aid skin healing (R), while other key components enhance recovery.

Coconut oil contains analgesic and anti-inflammatory (R) properties, which help soothe pain and reduce inflammation. The presence of tocopherols (Vitamin E) plays a vital role in promoting skin repair. Additionally, its polyphenols and antioxidant (R) properties contribute to steady and effective skin healing. The oil’s deep-penetrating ability further accelerates recovery.

How to Use?

• Take 2 tablespoons of extra virgin coconut oil in a bowl.
• Add a few drops of lavender or tea tree oil to the coconut oil.
• Mix the ingredients thoroughly.
• Using a clean cotton swab, apply the oil mixture to the burn and gently massage it into the skin.
• Allow the mixture to soak into the skin fully.
• Wash it off after 15-20 minutes.
• Before applying the oil, ensure you rinse the burn under cool running water.

Frequency: Apply multiple times throughout the day for best results.

3. Apple Cider Vinegar

The idea of using apple cider vinegar as a remedy for burns might seem controversial, but it can be effective when used correctly. The acetic acid in apple cider vinegar has mild aspirin-like properties that can help alleviate pain, itching, inflammation (R), and irritation. However, it’s essential to dilute the vinegar to avoid potential adverse effects on the skin.

How to Use?

Here are three methods for using apple cider vinegar to treat burns:

Method 1

1. Mix 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with 1 glass of water.
2. Pour the solution into a spray bottle.
3. Spray it onto the burnt area of the skin.
4. Leave it on until it is fully absorbed into the skin.
5. Rinse the area with cold running water to remove any residue.

Frequency: 2–3 times daily until the burn heals

Method 2

1. Mix 2 cups of cold water with 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a bowl.
2. Soak a clean muslin cloth in the solution.
3. Wring out excess liquid from the cloth.
4. Gently pat the burn area with the soaked cloth.
5. Repeat this process several times.

Frequency: Multiple times throughout the day.

Method 3

1. Fill your bathtub with water.
2. Add 1 cup of apple cider vinegar to the tub.
3. Soak yourself in the bath, ensuring the burnt area is submerged.
4. Relax in the tub for 10–15 minutes.
5. Shower afterward to remove any vinegar residue and odor from your skin.

Frequency: 2–3 times per week

4. Colloidal Silver

Colloidal silver is known for its powerful antibacterial properties, which help prevent infections (R) that can occur in burns. Its antiseptic qualities aid in treating burns and promoting healing from within.

How to Use?

1. Soak a clean cotton pad with colloidal silver.
2. Gently dab the cotton pad on the burnt area.
3. Leave it on for about 5 minutes.
4. Rinse the area thoroughly under running water.

Frequency: Repeat 2-3 times daily until the burn heals completely.

5. Epsom Salt

Epsom salt is a highly effective home remedy for treating skin burns, thanks to its magnesium sulfate content. It possesses anti-inflammatory (R) and antibacterial (R) properties, which help reduce inflammation and prevent infection, both of which are crucial in the healing process.

Burns can be prone to infections, and Epsom salt helps protect the area from such complications while promoting faster recovery.

How to Use?

1. Fill your bathtub with water.
2. Add 2-3 heaping tablespoons of Epsom salt.
3. Allow the salt to dissolve completely.
4. Soak the affected area in the water while taking a bath.
5. Stay in the water for 10-15 minutes.
6. Stand under the shower to wash off any salt remnants from your body.

Frequency: Once every other day until the burn heals.

6. Cold Water

One of the most effective and immediate remedies for burns is using cold water. Experts recommend cold water over ice cubes because it provides more effective relief without the potential harm that ice can cause to the skin.

Cold water not only soothes the burning pain but also helps reduce irritation and redness. However, it’s important to note that using cold water is a temporary solution, and it should be followed up with a long-term treatment to ensure proper healing.

How to Use?

1. Run the burnt area under a steady stream of cold water.
2. Ensure the water flow is gentle, as a high-pressure stream can aggravate the burn.

Frequency: Do this immediately after the burn occurs for optimal relief.

7. Raw Potato

Potato peels or even slices of raw potato are known for their beneficial effects in treating burns (R) at home. Unlike cold water, which evaporates quickly, potato slices retain moisture for an extended period, providing longer-lasting relief.

Potatoes help alleviate pain (R), redness, and irritation caused by burns. They also hydrate and moisturize the skin, helping to reduce the associated symptoms of the burn.

How to Use?

1. Peel and slice a potato into thin slices.
2. Place the slices over the burnt area and secure them with a bandage.
3. Leave the potato slices on for 15-20 minutes.
4. Wash the area with running water.

Frequency: Apply 2-3 times a day until the burn heals.

8. Onions

Onions have been used for burn treatment throughout history, mainly because of the positive results they provide. The effectiveness of onion in treating burns lies in its analgesic and anti-inflammatory (R) properties.

Applying onion juice to a burn can help relieve pain and inflammation. It can also prevent the formation of scars, aiding in the overall healing process.

How to Use?

1. Cut off the head of an onion.
2. Apply it directly to the burnt area.
3. Leave it on for 5 minutes.
4. Wash it off under running water.

Alternatively, make sure to thoroughly wash the burn under running water before applying the onion bulb.

Frequency: Apply 2-3 times daily until the burn heals.

9. Turmeric

Turmeric is one of the most common and effective remedies for burns, thanks to its combination of antiseptic (R), anti-inflammatory (R), and antimicrobial (R) properties. These properties work together to address multiple aspects of burn healing.

The antiseptic and antimicrobial properties help prevent infection in the burnt area.

The anti-inflammatory properties of Curcumin (R) (R) help reduce pain and inflammation, which are key concerns in burn treatment.

How to Use?

There are two ways to use turmeric for burn treatment:

Method 1

1. Apply turmeric powder directly to the burn.
2. Leave it on for a few hours, then wash it off with cold water.

Frequency: Every 2-3 hours throughout the day

Method 2

1. Mix 2 tablespoons of turmeric powder with a little milk to form a smooth paste.
2. Apply a thin layer of the paste to the burnt area.
3. Leave it on until it dries, then wash it off with cold water.

Frequency: 1-2 times daily

10. Mustard

Yellow mustard may seem like an unusual remedy for burns (R), but it can be surprisingly effective. It possesses analgesic properties that help alleviate pain quickly, often providing relief within a few hours. Though there are limited studies supporting its mechanism, the results are commonly reported to be effective.

How to Use?

• Wash the burn under running water for a few minutes.
• Pat dry with a clean towel.
• Apply a thick layer of mustard sauce and honey mixture (ensure it’s plain, unprocessed mustard).
• Let it sit for a few hours.
• Wash it off once the pain starts to subside.

Frequency: Once daily

11. Milk

Cold milk can be an effective remedy for alleviating the pain and irritation caused by burns. However, while dairy milk contains fats, it doesn’t necessarily aid in healing the burn. If you want to use milk for burn treatment, it’s recommended to stick to non-dairy milk, as it is less likely to contain harmful bacteria. Almond milk, in particular, is an excellent alternative because of its high Vitamin E (R) content, which helps to heal the burn and support skin recovery.

How to Use?

• Refrigerate some almond milk to cool it down.
• Take it out and soak a cotton ball in the milk.
• Remove excess liquid and gently dab it onto the burn.
• Wash off any remaining milk with cold water.

Frequency: 2-3 times daily

If you want to use milk for burn treatment, it’s best to stick to non-dairy milk, as it doesn’t contain bacteria that could potentially irritate the burn. Almond milk is a great alternative because it is rich in Vitamin E (R), which helps heal both the burn and the skin.

What to Do?

• Place almond milk in the fridge to cool it down.
• Soak a cotton ball in the cooled almond milk.
• Remove any excess liquid and gently dab it onto the burn.
• Wash off any remaining milk under cold water.

Frequency: 2-3 times daily

12. Tea Bags

Black tea bags can be quite effective in treating burns, mainly due to the presence of tannic acid. The tannic acid (R) helps draw out excess heat from the burn, gradually reducing the pain. Its mild analgesic properties (R) also soothe the discomfort, while the teabag helps restore moisture to the area, promoting faster healing.

How to Use?

1. Steep black tea bags in hot water for 5-10 minutes.
2. Remove the tea bags and place them in the fridge to cool.
3. Once cooled, apply the tea bags to the burnt area and secure them with a gauze bandage.
4. Leave them on for a few hours.

Frequency: 1-2 times daily

13. Vitamins

Vitamins play a crucial role in healing burns from within. Vitamins like A, C, and E have the most significant impact on burn treatment. Their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties help accelerate the skin’s healing process. Additionally, Vitamin E has skin healing and rejuvenating properties, which support recovery after the burn.

How to Use?

1. Increase the intake of foods, vegetables, and fruits rich in Vitamins A, C, and E to promote faster and more effective healing.

How to Hide Burns?

Hiding burn marks with makeup is a common go-to, isn’t it?

However, it’s important to note that makeup should only be applied once the burn has completely healed. If there is any scarring or tenderness, applying makeup is not advisable, as the chemicals in makeup could irritate the skin and worsen the condition.

That said, here are some effective ways to hide burn scars with makeup:

1. Foundation

Foundation is perhaps the most common and effective way to cover scars and discoloration caused by burns. Be sure to choose the correct shade and opt for a full-coverage foundation for the best results.

2. Concealer

For those who find foundation too heavy or cakey, concealer is an excellent alternative. It works equally well for concealing burns and scars while providing a lighter feel on the skin.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Burns?

Burns on the skin should never be taken lightly. If the burn is minor, such as splattering a bit of hot oil on your hand or touching a hot pot, it’s usually okay not to seek medical attention. 

However, if the burn is more severe and causes significant issues, it’s best to consult a healthcare professional for proper treatment.

If the burn was caused by a chemical, it’s essential to see a doctor, regardless of whether the burn seems mild or severe.

Another instance requiring immediate attention is when the burn becomes infected. If you notice signs of infection, such as increased pain or swelling, seek medical care right away.

To heal a burn quickly, it’s important to act promptly. While running the burn under cold water is often the quickest and easiest immediate response, it’s equally important to follow up with remedies that promote long-term healing. If you’re still unsure what to apply to a burn, refer to the list of remedies above.

Conclusion

Burns can be painful, and treatment can be challenging unless it is applied correctly. Hence, many types of mild burns can be cared for at home. It will be advisable to use remedies such as cold water, coconut oil, and aloe vera to soothe the injury at the burn location for instantaneous relief and healing at its best. 

Use these home remedies wisely, and do not use some without evidence, like toothpaste or butter. Adhering to a proper healing routine, especially with nutritious food rich in vitamins, can help the wound heal faster. 

When in doubt, call a healthcare professional to ensure maximum healing and minimal complications. Stay safe and heal well!

• Oct 2018
  Written by Somapika D
• Jan 2025
  Edited by Lakshmi Gayatri