10 Home Remedies To Soothe Burnt Finger

Although unpleasant, but finger burns are, unfortunately, one of the most common household injuries. Knowing about the effective treatments using home remedies to soothe burnt finger can help manage mild burns at home. Some cases may need medical attention, in which case, medical advice must be followed properly.

Burns are categorized based on their severity. A first-degree burn, which only affects the outer layer of the skin, is considered to be the least severe. It generally causes swelling, mild pain, and redness. Deeper layers of the skin are affected by second-degree burns. These burns cause blisters and wet, white and shiny coat. All the layers of the skin get damaged in third-degree burns while fourth-degree burns can involve the bone and joints. Third and fourth-degree burns are the most severe type of burns. They are considered medical emergencies and must only be treated in a hospital.

Most first-degree burns and second-degree burns of diameter of smaller than three inches can be treated at home. Here we look at the most effective treatment and home remedies to soothe burnt finger. Mild or minor burns generally take about 1 to 2 weeks to heal completely. These burns usually do not cause scarring. Burn treatments aim to prevent infections, decrease pain and heal the skin quickly.

Some of the most popular home remedies to soothe burnt finger include the following:

1. Cool Water Or Compresses – Cool water or compress works wonders when it comes to treating a minor burn. This is one of the most effective home remedies to soothe burnt finger. As first aid in case of minor burns, it is best to run fresh water over the burnt area for few minutes. A clean wet cloth or cool compress can also be placed over the burnt area to relieve pain and swelling. Avoid using very cold compress and must be applied at intervals of few minutes.
2. Antibiotic Ointments – It is often advised to used antibiotic ointments on the burn. It can be covered with cling film or a sterile dressing to prevent infection.
3. Aloe Vera – Aloe vera is one of the well-known home remedies to soothe burnt finger owing to its ability to heal mild burns. Aloe vera has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties that help to reduce pain, inflammation and swelling. It also helps prevent infection and stimulates skin growth and repair. You can directly apply a layer of pure aloe vera gel taken from the leaf of an aloe vera plant.
4. Honey – When applied topically, honey can help heal minor burns. It is also one of the home remedies to soothe burnt finger. It being a natural anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agent prevents the burn from getting infected. Honey helps relieve pain by soothing the burn and promotes better heal of the skin.
5. Milk – The proteins and fats present in milk act as home remedies to soothe burnt finger and promote healing. The burnt finger can be soaked in milk for fast relief.
6. Coconut Oil – Loaded with vitamin E, coconut oil is a wonderful skin healer, which is popularly used as one of the home remedies to soothe burnt finger. The healing properties of this oil help prevent infection and promote healing. A mix of coconut oil and few drops of lemon juice also works great to reduce the burn scar and promote better skin healing.
7. Lavender Oil – Lavender essential oil can reduce pain and heal the burn quickly. 1 tsp of pure form of lavender essential oil can be poured into a misting bottle with water and shaken well. The solution should then be misted over the burnt skin, as often as required.
8. Vanilla – Vanilla extract, one of the home remedies to soothe burnt finger can also be used to treat minor burns. Vanilla should be gently dabbed on the burnt skin using a cotton swab. The burn would cool and, the pain would alleviate, as the alcohol in the vanilla extract evaporates.
9. Tea Bag – The tannic acid in black tea helps soothe the burns to make them less painful. This is one of the easy to use home remedies to soothe burnt finger. 2 or 3 cool, wet black tea bags should be placed on the burn, and gauze should be used to hold the bags in place.
10. Vinegar – White vinegar is packed with acetic acid, a component of aspirin which can help relieve the itching, pain, and inflammation of a burn. Its antiseptic and astringent properties also help to keep the burn from getting infected. Vinegar draws heat from the burn and helps dull pain naturally. Paper towels should be soaked in diluted vinegar to create a soothing compress or cotton swabs dipped in vinegar should be used to dab the burn gently for easing the discomfort.

While these are some of the most widely used home remedies to soothe burnt finger, it is also important to take certain home care measures. Exposing the burnt finger to direct sunlight should be strictly avoided. Since burned skin is susceptible to the sun, it is best to keep it covered with clothing. Bursting a blister can lead to infection, hence it is important to avoid popping them. It is best to see a doctor if worried about the blisters that have formed due to the burn. For painful burns, an OTC pain reliever like ibuprofen or naproxen can be taken for relief.