First Aid for Burns

The degree of burns indicates the degree of damage to the tissues. There are three degrees of burns. They are:

• First Degree Burns: The burn results in reddening only.
• Second Degree Burns: There are blisters on the skin.
• Third Degree Burns: There is destruction of deeper tissues, with ruptured blisters, and possibly open and raw flesh wounds.

First Aid for Burns - The Natural Way

** The herbal and homeopathic first aid burn treatment described here are for minor burns (first degree and minor second degree with minimal blistering) only. If your dog suffers a serious burn, please take him to a veterinarian immediately.**

Whenever we are giving our dog first aid for burns, we should first and foremost try to cool down the injured area so that prolonged damage to the skin and muscle tissues will be minimized. We should then take measures to minimize possible infection at the site of injury.

To cool down the injured area, clean the area gently with sterile saline, or very clean water. Then submerge the burnt area in cold water to relieve the pain. Never apply any greasy substance (such as ointment, salve, or oil) to the burnt area. Also, do not cover the area with a bandage or cloth.

To keep the burned area clean, use sterile saline to wash the area a few times a day. After each wash, apply any of the following herbal remedies to the affected area:

Aloe

The juice of aloe vera is anti-bacterial and will help eliminate some of the pain, speed up healing, and reduce the chance of infection.

Calendula

Using a cooled tea of calendula on the burned area will also speed up healing, and reduce the chance of infection.

Herbal Skin Rinse

To relieve some of the pain resulting from a burn, use a skin rinse of any of the following herbs:

• Chamomile
• Peppermint
• Thyme

A quick and easy rinse can be made by seeping 2 teabags of chamomile or peppermint in a cup of hot water. Let the tea cool down and then use the cooled tea as a rinse.

Urtica urens (stinging nettle)

Another effective first aid burn treatment (for minor burns) is the homeopathic remedy Urtica urens. Apply it topically to the affected area and it quickly reduces the pain and prevents blistering. (It can also be taken internally.) Urtica is therefore a great medicine to have in our pet's first aid kit. (And don't forget to keep one in the first aid kit for yourself as well!)

D. Hamilton, Homeopathic Care for Cats and Dogs (North Atlantic Books, 1999).
Pitcairn & Pitcairn, Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats (Rodale, 2005).
M.L. Wulff-Tilford and G.L. Tilford, Herbs for Pets (Bowtie Press, 1999).


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