Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Treat Burns With Food

Honey can aid in treating minor burns.


Minor burns are all too common. It is easy to burn yourself on the stove, with a kettle, or on a hot pan. Food can help in the healing of burns, either when physically applied to a burn, or when simply eaten to promote and aid the healing process within your body. If you have a severe burn, you should first go to your doctor -- but these remedies will still aid your recovery -- after you have sought initial advice.


Instructions


1. Apply a thin layer of raw honey to the burn. Apply a plaster or dressing over the honey to stop it from getting messy. Apply each day, until the burn has healed. Honey can help prevent infection and scarring.


2. Eat plenty of protein rich foods, such as tofu, beans, white fish and lean meat. Protein helps to maintain skin elasticity, which will help the burn heal.


3. Incorporate antioxidant foods into your diet. These include bell peppers, squash, blueberries and tomatoes.


4. Consume carbohydrates. If you don't have enough carbohydrates available to supply energy to make your body function, your body will use up your proteins instead, so the protein won't be able to help heal your burns. Foods high in carbohydrates include bread, pasta and cereals.


5. Add foods containing zinc to your meals, for instance fish, whole grains and beans. Zinc helps to metabolize proteins, carbohydrates and fats, making it necessary for your skin to heal after a burn.

Tags: your body