Burns

Aloe is a popular remedy for minor burns and a small preliminary study found it more effective than Vaseline in treating burns.¹ The stabilized aloe gel is typically applied to the affected area of skin three to five times per day. Older case studies reported that aloe gel applied topically could help heal radiation burns,² but a large, double-blind trial did not find aloe effective in this regard.³

Burns affecting a large proportion of the body may result in vitamin D deficiency⁶, potentially increasing the risk of osteoporosis, which is a frequent long-term consequence of severe burns.⁷ Vitamin D deficiency may result from the inability of previously burned skin to manufacture vitamin D after exposure to sunlight. People with a history of an extensive burn might benefit from vitamin D supplementation.

Calendula cream may be applied to minor burns to soothe pain and help promote tissue repair. It has been shown in animal studies to be anti-inflammatory⁸ and to aid repair of damaged tissues.⁹ The cream is applied three times per day. Plantain is regarded as similar to calendula in traditional medicine, though usually the whole leaf is applied directly to the burn as a poultice.

Colloidal silver has been used as a topical antiseptic for minor burns for over a century. Internal use of colloidal silver is not recommended for this condition.

Gotu kola has been used in the medicinal systems of central Asia for centuries to treat numerous skin diseases. Saponins in gotu kola beneficially affect collagen (the material that makes up connective tissue) to inhibit its production in hyperactive scar tissue following burns or wounds.¹⁰

Calendula cream may be applied to minor burns to soothe pain and help promote tissue repair. It has been shown in animal studies to be anti-inflammatory¹¹ and to aid repair of damaged tissues.¹² The cream is applied three times per day. Plantain is regarded as similar to calendula in traditional medicine, though usually the whole leaf is applied directly to the burn as a poultice.

Despite a lack of research on the subject, using vitamin E topically on minor burns is a popular remedy. This makes sense, because some of the damage done to the skin is oxidative, and vitamin E is an antioxidant. Some doctors suggest simply breaking open a capsule of vitamin E and applying it to the affected area two or three times per day. Vitamin E forms are listed as either “tocopherol” or “tocopheryl” followed by the name of what is attached to it, as in “tocopheryl acetate.” While both forms are active when taken by mouth, the skin utilizes the tocopheryl forms very slowly.^13,14 Therefore, those planning to apply vitamin E to the skin should buy the tocopherol form.