Burns

Burns are injuries to tissues caused by heat, friction, electricity, radiation or chemicals. They are classified into degrees according to the severity of the damaged tissues and are treated depending upon the category and its causes.

Symptoms
Symptoms vary according to its severity. A first degree burn will cause an inflamed red skin accompanied by a mild pain. It will take about 3-6 days to heal a mild burn. Second-degree burns involves blisters, peeled skin and swelling. Third-degree burns are very severe cases for it damages and outer layer of the skin as well as the nerve surface, which may lead to the appearance of a charred skin. The pain is gradually felt until it escalates into something unbearable. The wound may leave a scar.

Causes
Burns are caused by direct contact with fire or extremely hot objects. Other causes are electrocution from electric appliances or being exposed to live wires, and sun burns caused by over exposure to the sun without proper skin protection.

Children experiences more severe pain due to their sensitive skin.

Home Remedies:
Cold water: Immerse the affected part into a container filled with cold water for 15-30 minutes. This will help reduce the temperature of the burned area.

Honey: To prevent infection, wash the wound properly before applying honey.

Papaya: Put a slice of papaya on the wound. Papaya juice contains enzymes that will help remove dead cells.

Aloe Vera: Cut some fresh Aloe vera and put it on the burns. Break a vitamin E capsule and pour its contents on the wound to prevent scarring.

Lavender Oil: Applying lavender oil on the wound will help relieve the burn.

Diets
Burns causes a loss of substantial percentage of micronutrients, such as copper, selenium, and zinc that delays the healing process and also makes it prone to infection. Therefore, patients with burns should take a diet consisting of foods that are rich in protein and high in calories to help speed up the wound recovery.

Eat food that are rich in Vitamin B complex, Vitamin C, Glutamine, Arginine, Copper, Zinc, Selenium and many others.

Other Treatments
Proper discipline is important for wound recovery. Avoid from moving around too much to prevent re-opening the wound and take your medicine on time as prescribed by the doctor.

Burning Tongue

Glossodynia or burning mouth syndrome (BMS), is also known as glossopyrosis, oral galvanism, stomatodynia or stomatopyrosis, is an oral condition characterized by an acute burning sensation of the tongue or the entire mouth for several days. This is a condition that is commonly present in the middle-aged population.

Symptoms
Common symptoms of glossodynia includes having a burning sensation in the lips, gums, mouth, palate, and tongue. The patient also experiences dryness in the mouth. Sometimes, it’s also a bit sore. Other symptoms includes apparent thirtyness and numbness at the tip of the tongue.

Failure of the taste buds to distinguish flavors, leaving a metallic or bitter taste in the mouth when eating meals are some of the situation a patient will experience when diagnosed with glossodynia.

Causes
Main cause is the yeast infection found in the patient’s mouth. Hormonal imbalance during menopause, bad oral hygiene, improper intake of medications, acid reflux, nerve damage, endocrine disorders, irritating dentures and deficiency of vitamin B12 are some of the major factors leading to this condition.

Home Remedies
Chewing gum: Chew a sugar-free gum or suck a piece of ice for a temporary relief from glossodynia.

Baking soda: Replace your commercial tooth paste with baking soda when brushing your teeth.

Diet
Hot and spicy foods will aggravate the condition, instead eat foods that are rich in vitamin B and iron. And avoid allergy-causing foods and oral hygiene products.

Suggestions
Quit smoking tobacco when having a burning tongue.