Feeling The Heat - Recovering From Burns

Healing Skin Burns

Published: ShinMin Daily News 3 April 2016

A 66-year-old man makes a stunning recovery from burns to his face and neck, which he sustained two months ago in a kitchen fire.

"Dr Jean Ho explains...
Burns are classified into:

• First degree. A sun burn is an example of a first degree burn,
• Second degree. Scalding injuries are examples of second degree burns. The damage to the skin may result in none to mild scarring.
• Third degree. Chemical and electrical burns would fall into this category. As there is significant damage to vital structures in the skin including the hair follicles and glands, these burns frequently cause permanent scarring.   

With the exception of first degree burns, specialist treatment and early attention to burn wounds are crucial for improving outcomes. "

Healing By Nature - Honey

Wound Healing By Nature - Honey

Before the discovery of antibiotics, honey was used on wounds to prevent and treat wound infection. You probably already have this botanically derived therapy right in your kitchen cupboard too!

The use of honey in wound healing dates back to the Sumerians in 2000 B.C.. The high sugar content can dehydrate bacterial cells, while acidity can inhibit growth and division of many bacteria. Honey also has an enzyme, glucose oxidase, that reduces oxygen to hydrogen peroxide, which kills bacteria.

The most potent naturally occurring honey is thought to be Manuka honey. It is derived from the flower of the tea tree bush which has additional antibacterial properties.

More recently, widespread prescription of antibiotics have resulted in the problem of antibiotic resistance and the emergence of hard-to-kill super-bugs such as MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus).  The use of honey as a wound antiseptic is not only desirable, but highly preferable (Journal of Wound Care, 2004).This is because, since honey is technically not an antibiotic, the use of honey on wounds does not contribute to the problem of antibiotic resistance.