DMSO and BURNS
Definitions of burns -
First degree burn – involving only the superficial layers of the skin as in sunburn, hot steam from a boiling kettle etc. Symptoms redness, and sometimes water blisters.
Second degree burns – involving all but the deepest layer of the skin, as in boiling water, hot oil, acid etc. Severe redness, blistering and pain with slow healing and could leave some scarring.
Third degree burns – involving all layers of the skin. Destruction of the skin, nerve damage, severe pain leaving lifelong scarring.
KITCHEN BURNS
The kitchen is probably one of the most dangerous places we spend a lot of time in – whether it is in your home, a restaurant kitchen or cafeteria kitchen. We have electricity and water, we cook with gas or an open flame and we have hot boiling water – sometimes all of these at the same time!
The first rule for first and second degree burns are IMMEDIATELY APPLY ICE OR VERY COLD WATER for 5 MINUTES! Why – to stop the burn penetrating deeper into the layers of skin.
The next step would be to dry the affected area with a paper towel and apply your DMSO solution.
A fairly high concentration of DMSO (50% DMSO to 50% distilled or bottled water) should be used. However, the more severe the burn, the higher concentration (up to full strength) of DMSO can be used. This may initially cause pain which will pass quickly! Apply DMSO to the affected area three to four times over the next hour. That should be sufficient to stop the pain and blistering. In fact, the pain would have subsided after the first application and be gone by the second application! Over the next day or so apply a few more times to speed up the healing.
DMSO - SUNBURN
Unless you are unbelievably careful, sunburn is just a way of life if you like the outdoors – whether it is the beach, gardening or work under a hot sun on a daily basis.
Apart from the long-term damage of too much sun, sunburn has spoilt many a good vacation or a good night’s rest! A DMSO and aloe gel applied to a sunburnt skin will relieve all discomfort, blistering and peeling and will prevent the possible damage that may be caused.
Although one application is usually sufficient, I always apply for another day or two to sooth the skin. And yes, you can easily go back into the sun the next day, but please cover up! Prevention is better than cure! Using DMSO after sun will make you keep your tan!
THIRD DEGREE BURNS
The drying effect of DMSO makes it valuable in the treatment of third degree burns, since moisture tends to promote infection.
Severe burns that cover wide areas of the body can not only be very painful, but these burns can also be fatal. Besides the actual tissue damage, the burn area can become infected.
It is important to apply DMSO as soon as possible to prevent the formation of scar tissue and the prevention of the contracture of the scar tissue left after severe burns.
Although a 99% solution could be applied to third degree burns – the pain could be excruciating. Applying a weaker 70% solution, but more frequently seems to be more tolerable and work just as well long-term. I have found that aloe gel mixed with the 70% DMSO helps against the pain. On severe burns, DMSO gel can be applied to bandages and the burn areas covered with it. These bandages should be replaced every hour till the pain is reasonably tolerable. Thereafter gel soaked bandages can be applied at 3 to 4 hour intervals.
Anyone with third degree burns must be under medical supervision, but as a first aid till the person can get medical help, DMSO is invaluable!