Uses

  • First-Degree Burn
  • Scald
  • Superficial Burn

A minor burn is damage to the outer and underlying layer of skin from thermal, chemical, electrical, or radiation exposure. They can cause pain, swelling, blisters.

Minor burns are treated with first aid, such as cool water, bandages, and over the counter pain medicine. Some people like to use natural therapies to promote healing.

Natural Therapies

Likely Effective

Hyaluronic acid is made by the body to lubricate the skin and eyes. It is likely to quicken healing. A3

May Be Effective

These therapies may promote healing:

Not Enough Data to Assess

Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.

Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.

Herbs and Supplements to Be Used With Caution

Talk to your doctor about any supplements or therapy you would like to use. Some can interfere with treatment or make conditions worse.

References

Herbs and Supplements

REFA1 Jull AB, Cullum N, et al. Honey as a topical treatment for wounds. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015 Mar 6;(3):CD005083.

REFA2 Khorasani G, Hosseinimehr SJ, et al. Aloe versus silver sulfadiazine creams for second-degree burns: a randomized controlled study. Surg Today. 2009;39(7):587-591.

REFA3 Voigt J, Driver VR. Hyaluronic acid derivatives and their healing effect on burns, epithelial surgical wounds, and chronic wounds: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Wound Repair Regen. 2012;20(3):317-331.

REFA4 Shahzad MN, Ahmed N. Effectiveness of Aloe Vera gel compared with 1% silver sulphadiazine cream as burn wounds dressing in second degree burns. J Pak Assoc. 2013;63(2):225-230.

REFA5 Aziz Z, Abdul Rasool Hassan B, et al. The effects of honey compared to silver sulfadiazine for the treatment of burns: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Burns. 2017;43(1):50-57.

REFA6 Saeidinia A, Keihanian F, et al. Partial-thickness burn wounds healing by topical treatment: A randomized controlled comparison between silver sulfadiazine and centiderm. Medicine (Baltimore). 2017;96(9):e6168.

REFA7 Barbosa NS, Kalaaji AN. CAM use in dermatology. Is there a potential role for honey, green tea, and vitamin C? Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2014 Feb;20(1):11-5.

REFA8 Vandamme L, Heyneman A, et al. Honey in modern wound care: a systematic review. Burns. 2013 Dec;39(8):1514-25.

REFA9 Dat AD, Poon F, et al. Aloe vera for treating acute and chronic wounds. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012 Feb 15;(2):CD008762.

REFA10 Wijesinghe M, Weatherall M, et al. Honey in the treatment of burns: a systematic review and meta-analysis of its efficacy. N Z Med J. 2009 May 22;122(1295):47-60.

REFA11 Maenthaisong R, Chaiyakunapruk N, et al. The efficacy of aloe vera used for burn wound healing: a systematic review. Burns. 2007 Sep;33(6):713-718. Epub 2007 May 17.

Aromatherapy

REFB1 Choi J, Lee JA, et al. Aromatherapy for the relief of symptoms in burn patients: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Burns. 2018 Sep;44(6):1395-1402.

Revision Information

  • Reviewer: EBSCO NAT Review Board Eric Hurwitz, DC
  • Review Date: 11/2019
  • Update Date: 06/09/2020