Minor burns, although scary and painful, can be treated with natural home remedies. As long as the burn is a surface burn only, there are several alternative solutions that can prevent infection, soothe pains, stop scarring and help in healing. Alternative remedies such as milk, tea, honey, cool water, lavender oil and yogurt have been used for some time, and are easily accessible.

Yogurt

Yogurt can help soothe and cool down minor burns. Apply two tablespoons of yogurt directly the burn, wait 15 minutes, and then remove. Plain yogurt is recommended, but flavored yogurt will work as well.

Honey

Honey is an old remedy for a multitude of things, including minor burns. Honey will also sanitize minor burns by drawing out fluids. Place a few drops of honey directly on the burn, then place a bandage over the infected area. A gauze bandage works well, and should be changed several times daily. With each bandage change, a few drops of honey should be reapplied.

Black Tea

The tannic acid in black tea works to help draw out the burning heat from a minor burn. Tea bags should be placed under cool, running water while collecting the tea liquid into a bowl or glass. Then simply sprinkle the tea water onto the burn. This can be repeated as often as necessary.

Milk

Milk works to soothe minor burns and alleviate pain. Take a clean cloth, soak it with milk, and apply it to the burn. Repeat as often as needed for pain relief, washing the cloth between each application. Alternately, the burn can also be soaked in a bowl of milk for at least 15 minutes.

Water

Cool water can help tremendously with minor burns. Not only does it cool down the burn, but it can also help it from spreading. Run cool water over the burn as soon as possible. Hesitating in using water will increase the risk of infection and pain. Run the cool water over the burn for at least 10 minutes, and repeat as many times as desired.

Vinegar

Vinegar works as a purifying agent as well as an astringent for minor burns. Dilute one-quarter cup of vinegar with two cups of water. Pour the liquid over the burn and do not rinse it off.

Lavender Oil

Lavender oil will not only soothe away the pains of a minor burn, it will also help in the prevention of unwanted scarring. Rub the lavender oil generously over the burn and leave it on for at least 15 minutes. Apply again as many times as needed. Be sure to rinse off the oil before each application.

Carbohydrates are broken down during digestion into glucose. This substance moves into your blood and a hormone called insulin transfers the glucose to the body cells to give your body energy. People with diabetes either have a problem with insulin production or the cells aren’t able to use the insulin which causes glucose to buildup in the blood. According to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, gestational diabetes affects anywhere from three to eight out of 100 women in the United States. This condition is a type of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy but typically resolves after the baby is born. Its symptoms are similar to those of diabetes mellitus.

Increased Appetite

An increased appetite can indicate gestational diabetes, but despite this symptom, a pregnant woman may also lose weight. The body responds to the high level of insulin in the blood by producing and releasing more insulin. One action of insulin is to stimulate the appetite, which means that a higher level of insulin leads to an increased hunger. If the cells aren’t able to use the insulin, the level of glucose in the blood will continue to build up, so the body breaks down the muscles and fat stores as a way to get the required energy to the cells. The pregnant woman may lose weight as these tissues shrink as well as feel constantly fatigued or lethargic, since this action causes the body to use more energy.

Excessive Thirst and Urination

A pregnant woman with gestational diabetes may have an increased thirst since the body craves liquids to help dilute the excess glucose in the blood. The body also moves liquids from the body tissues to help dilute the blood. For example, the body can pull fluid from the lenses of the eyes. This action can affect the way the eyes focus, which causes blurred vision. The increased fluid intake causes the pregnant women to pass large, excessive amounts of urine, which is different than the frequent passing of small amounts of urine that is typical of pregnancy. Diagnostic testing at the physician’s office can reveal high amounts of glucose in the urine.
Infections

Since diabetes interferes with the body’s ability to fight infections, the pregnant woman may experience frequent infections in areas such as the bladder, vagina and skin. White blood cells defend the body against bacteria, but these cells aren’t able to function normally when a person has a high blood sugar. A woman with gestational diabetes may also complain of a yeast infection in the vagina or on the skin. Yeast cells are normally present in the vaginal area in small amounts. The vaginal secretions and urine contain more glucose when a woman has gestational diabetes. The yeast cells use the glucose as food, which causes the cells to multiply. With the body’s immune system compromised by the high level of glucose in the blood, this increase in yeast cells turns into a yeast infection.

High Blood Sugar

Since a woman may not have any noticeable symptoms of gestational diabetes and symptoms can mimic regular pregnancy symptoms, screening for this condition is part of prenatal care for at-risk women between weeks 24 and 28 of pregnancy. Your physician will initially order a blood test called a glucose challenge test. If the glucose challenge test indicates a high blood sugar level, your physician may order a glucose tolerance test to confirm the diagnosis of gestational diabetes. Both tests involve drinking a sweet glucose solution and having your blood drawn after a prescribed amount of time.

From that scraped knee you got as a kid to that recent cut you received in the shower from shaving, you’ve experienced a scar or two at some point. Even bug bites can leave constant reminders of past camping trips. Your body naturally sheds layers of skin. Regardless, scars can still be visible. And although they are a natural part of life, you can remove scars. Cocoa butter is a great beauty treatment to hydrate and smooth skin, that doubles as a scar removal cream.

Instructions

Treatment for Scars

1. Start with clean skin. This prepares the scar for treatment. For extra healing benefits, exfoliate the skin with a course wash cloth in the shower, then towel dry.
2. Firmly massage pure cocoa butter directly into the skin in a firm, circular motion. Since scars are made up of thick, fibrous collagen, the rubbing motion aids in smoothing the appearance of the scar. In addition, moisture from cocoa butter helps stimulate the breakdown of the collagen protein.
3. Make sure to continue massaging skin until cocoa butter disappears. Skin responds well to moisture and the biggest benefit of using the scar removal cream is the skin hydration it provides. Pure cocoa butter, because of its great moisturizing qualities, has great affects on old and new scars. Hydrating the skin with pure cocoa butter will not only lubricate skin, but help lighten scars
4. Continue this application up to three times a day. Over time, you will begin to notice a change in the look and feel of your skin, plus a less visible scar. Also remember your skin will continue to heal itself with aggressive massaging.