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We decided to test the effectiveness of three traditional methods for emergency aid and therapy for thermal burns, namely using oil, honey, and even urine.
Burns can be classified into chemical, radiation, electrical, and thermal burns, and sometimes friction burns and cold burns are also distinguished. However, for the purpose of this analysis, we will only be focusing on thermal burns, which are divided into four degrees based on the severity of the damage they cause.
The first degree burn affects only the epidermis, causing redness and pain on the surface. The second degree burn affects the epidermis and part of the dermis, resulting in bright redness, swelling, and blisters. The third degree burn, on the other hand, affects both upper skin layers and sometimes even the subcutaneous tissue, causing the burn to appear black, yellow, or white, and there is usually no pain as the nerve endings are also damaged. The fourth degree burn is the deepest and most severe, potentially affecting all layers of the skin, as well as the muscles, ligaments, and bones, and is considered life-threatening.
While self-treatment methods may provide some relief for first and second degree burns, seeking immediate medical attention is necessary for third and especially fourth degree burns. The American Burn Association and WHO recommend seeking medical attention for any burns, regardless of their size and severity.
Oil
Both the American Burn Association and the WHO discourage the use of oil as a first aid treatment for burns. This is because oil can trap heat, which is counterproductive in the case of a burn where cooling the damaged skin is crucial. Additionally, oil may contain bacteria that can enter the wound and further aggravate the situation.
Although oil is not recommended for first aid treatment of burns, it can still have beneficial effects for wound care. In 2014, researchers from Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in Iran conducted an experiment on 60 rats. The rats were inflicted with third-degree burns and then divided into five groups, with each group receiving a different treatment. The wounds were treated with either sea buckthorn oil, olive oil, a mixture of both oils, silver sulfadiazine (SSD), which is a commonly used treatment for burns, or a saline solution (in the control group). The scientists observed the healing of the burns over a period of 28 days.
The rats that were treated with sea buckthorn and olive oils or a mixture of these oils healed the fastest. This is because sea buckthorn oil has antibacterial and antioxidant properties, and promotes tissue regeneration due to its content of unsaturated fatty acids, including omega-6 and omega-7. On the other hand, olive oil contains polyphenols, which are compounds with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, both oils, either separately or in combination, proved to be effective in accelerating the healing of burns.
An experiment was conducted in Turkey where argan oil was injected into burn wounds on rats’ bodies, and the results showed that it was effective. Compared to the control group, rats receiving injections of the oil had faster healing wounds. However, it is important to note that this treatment began 24 hours after the burn was received, and the oil was injected subcutaneously rather than simply applied to a fresh wound.
Similarly, Chinese biologists conducted an experiment using crocodile oil, which is derived from the fatty tissues of crocodiles. The oil was applied directly to the wound and treatment was initiated immediately, rather than waiting. The results showed that the use of crocodile oil accelerated the healing of second-degree burns.
It is worth mentioning that essential oils, particularly lavender essential oil, have also been studied for their effectiveness in treating wounds, particularly burns. Researchers from Charles Sturt University in Australia conducted an experiment where wounds on the backs of rats were treated with various substances, including lavender essential oil, and compared the healing process to a control group where animals did not receive any treatment for burns. However, the results showed that lavender oil did not demonstrate any significant effect.
Researchers from the University of Queensland in Australia also studied the effectiveness of tea tree essential oil in treating burns. They compared the healing of deep burns in pigs treated with dressings soaked in tea tree oil to a control group. However, the results showed that the oil did not contribute to either the healing or disinfection of wounds. Therefore, tea tree essential oil was also found to be ineffective in treating burns.
To summarize, while common household oils such as cream, sunflower, or olive oil are not recommended for first aid in burns by medical organizations due to their ineffectiveness and potential harm, some oils like olive and sea buckthorn can be used to accelerate healing after the skin has cooled. Certain less popular oils like argan and crocodile have been found to speed up the healing process in studies. However, essential oils like lavender and tea tree have not been found to be effective in treating burns. It is important to exercise caution when using any type of oil on burns, and it is advisable to wait for more high-quality studies to be conducted by authoritative medical organizations for more definite conclusions.
Urine
Authoritative research has not confirmed the effectiveness of using urine as a first aid or therapy for burns. No reputable medical organization advises using urine on burns, even for first-degree burns where the skin is not broken.
Many people believe that urine is sterile and can be used to rinse burns or other wounds, but this belief is false. The bladder, which produces urine, contains a large number of bacteria, even in healthy individuals and particularly in those with urinary tract infections. Applying urine to an open wound or fresh burn can lead to infection, making it not only ineffective but also dangerous.
Furthermore, fresh urine is usually at body temperature, around 36.6-37°C, which is several degrees warmer than the skin surface. As we know, the burn site needs to be cooled, not warmed, so pouring a warmer liquid onto the burned skin is not a good idea.
Urine consists of approximately 95% water, along with urea, inorganic salts, and creatinine. Although a study has confirmed that urea may aid in faster healing of wounds and burns, the study refers to synthesized urea from nitrogen, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide in sterile laboratory conditions. Human urine, which contains a significant amount of bacteria, cannot be used for this purpose. Furthermore, these findings were published in a scientific paper in 1936, and we were unable to find more recent authoritative studies that confirm them.
Cosmetics commonly use urea as a moisturizing agent, but it is not recommended for use on irritated skin or open wounds, including second-degree burns and higher.
Honey
Honey contains flavonoids, plant-based substances that provide antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. The Mayo Clinic, one of the largest medical research centers in the United States, has identified effective burn healing among honey’s proven properties. Scientific studies confirm that honey is effective in treating open wounds, especially burns.
In 2010, the Burn Center of the hospital at the Pakistani Artillery Factory conducted a study involving 150 patients with minor burns. The patients’ wounds were treated with either honey or silver sulfadiazine (SSD). Honey-treated burns healed in an average of 21 days, while SSD-treated burns took 24 days to heal.
In 2020, scientists from Bushehr University of Medical Sciences (Iran) conducted an experiment on rabbits to test the effectiveness of various treatments for burns. The rabbits were inflicted with burns and were then divided into four groups, each receiving a different treatment: milk, honey, a honey-milk mixture, or silver sulfadiazine. After four weeks, the doctors measured the size of the burns and evaluated the healing process. The results showed that the honey-milk mixture was the most effective treatment, followed by honey, milk, and silver sulfadiazine in last place.
According to the scientists, the high efficiency of the honey-milk mixture was due to the combination of honey’s antibacterial and healing properties with the beneficial microelements, particularly calcium, found in milk. These microelements provide nutrition to the cells in the affected area, supporting the process of proliferation, which is crucial for tissue regeneration. In addition, honey’s anti-inflammatory properties help the wound healing process by promoting the transition from the inflammatory phase to the proliferative phase, a key stage in the process of wound healing.
A systematic review conducted by scientists from the University of Malaya (Malaysia) analyzed multiple studies on the effectiveness of honey in treating burns. They compared the results and quality of evidence of these studies and concluded that honey is likely to be effective.
Similarly, a review conducted by New Zealand researchers from the University of Auckland found that honey can accelerate the healing of burns. However, they noted that due to the heterogeneity of the studies and the low quality of evidence in most of them, it is difficult to say for certain. Researchers from the University of Oxford also came to similar conclusions, acknowledging that from a biological perspective, the claim of possible effectiveness of honey is plausible.
The New Zealand Institute of Medical Research conducted a review that revealed honey to be considerably more effective than other methods in treating superficial or partial burns. However, the researchers noted that more research is required before this treatment can be incorporated into official medical practice. Despite the need for further research to confirm its clinical effectiveness and inclusion in burn treatment protocols, scientific evidence indicates that honey accelerates the healing of burns. However, all the reviewed studies focused on extended therapy for mild severity burns (I-II degree).
Honey is a safe option for treating burns, unlike urine. While some scientists rate it higher than other widely recognized treatment methods and consider it “plausible,” there are relatively few high-quality studies confirming its clinical effectiveness. Further scientific research is needed to arrive at a more accurate conclusion.
Our search did not yield any authoritative studies or advice from laypeople on using honey as a first aid treatment for burns.
In case of burns, doctors recommend seeking medical help immediately for extensive burns (more than 8 cm in diameter) or deep burns (involving several layers of skin, that is, third degree or higher). While waiting for medical help to arrive, it is best to only cover the burn with gauze or clean fabric – no rinsing or applying anything is necessary. Further treatment should be prescribed by a doctor. For milder burns (first or second degree), it is important to immediately cool the burned area of the skin under cool (but not icy) running water. It is also advisable not to puncture blisters to avoid introducing infection. In such cases, it is best to bandage the burn with a clean, loose bandage and consult a doctor for advice on how to treat the injury.
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