Applying salt to a burn is not a recommended or effective first aid measure. It does not help heal the wound and can instead cause further harm. Understanding proper burn care is important for effective treatment and preventing complications. This article explains why salt is detrimental to burns, outlines correct steps for treating minor burns, and advises when to seek professional medical attention.
Why Salt Does Not Help Burns
Applying salt to a burn can worsen the injury due to its physiological effects on damaged skin. Salt is a desiccant, meaning it actively draws moisture away from its surroundings. When applied to a burn, the salt creates a highly concentrated solution on the skin’s surface, pulling water out of the already compromised tissue through osmosis. This dehydration exacerbates tissue damage and delays healing.
Applying salt to an open wound causes intense pain and irritation. This occurs because sodium and chloride ions disrupt the balance around exposed nerve endings, heightening pain signals. Using non-sterile substances also introduces a substantial risk of infection, as a burn compromises the skin’s protective barrier.
Introducing non-sterile salt can lead to pathogens entering the wound, increasing infection likelihood and complicating recovery. This creates an unfavorable healing environment, potentially leading to delayed recovery or more severe scarring. While sterile saline solutions are used medically for cleaning wounds, this differs significantly from applying granular table salt.
Proper First Aid for Minor Burns
For minor burns, immediate and appropriate first aid minimizes damage and pain. The first step involves cooling the burn with cool, not cold or icy, running water for about 10 to 20 minutes. This action helps reduce pain, decrease swelling, and prevent further tissue damage by dissipating heat from the affected area.
Promptly remove any jewelry or tight clothing from the burned area before swelling begins, as swelling can make these items constrictive and difficult to remove later. After cooling, gently cover the burn with a sterile, non-adhesive dressing or a clean, loose cloth. This covering protects the wound from infection and reduces pain by shielding exposed nerve endings from air.
Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, can be taken to manage discomfort. Avoid applying common home remedies like butter, oils, toothpaste, or ice to burns, as these substances can trap heat, introduce bacteria, or cause additional tissue damage.
When to Seek Medical Help for Burns
While minor burns can often be managed at home, certain situations necessitate immediate medical attention to prevent severe complications. Seek professional medical help for any burn deeper than the top layer of skin, including second-degree burns with significant blistering or third-degree burns that look white, leathery, or charred. Burns larger than 3 inches in diameter also require medical evaluation.
Seek medical attention for burns if:
- The burn is on the face, hands, feet, groin, major joints, or encircles a limb.
- There are signs of infection, including increased redness, swelling, pus, or a fever.
- The burn was caused by electricity or chemicals, due to potential for internal damage or ongoing reactions.
- The burn was sustained by infants, young children, or the elderly, due to their increased vulnerability.