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Home >
Research Department >
Health
Concerns Articles >
Burns & Sunburn |
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Health
Concerns Articles |
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BURNS & SUNBURN
Articles by a Naturopathic
Doctor ( N.D.) |
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A SLOW BURN TO
WRINKLES OR WORSE |
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Having some colour
with your skin makes
you look healthy; in
fact you need the
sun to make vitamin
D. But, repeated
exposure to extreme
sun conditions will
cause wrinkles &
increases your risk
of skin cancer. |
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Burns from
a heat source like a stove,
oven or from fire are the
most extreme type of burn,
but sunburns too can cause
extreme damage to the skin -
especially if it's
repeated... |
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The skin is the largest
organ in the body.
Burns can severely injure
the skin and can require
medical attention.
First-degree burns make the
skin turn red.
Second-degree burns form
blisters. Third-degree
burns look charred and cause
damage to both the skin and
underlying tissue.
Excessive heat, friction,
chemicals, electricity and
radiation can cause burns.
Sunburns are a form of
radiation burn. The
most common complications of
a burn are shock,
dehydration and infection.
The skin plays a large role
in fluid regulation. |
A burn causes a large loss
of fluid form the skin and
can lead to dehydration.
The skin acts as a barrier
to microbes. When the skin
is compromised infectious
agents have easy access to
the exposed area. The body
is also weakened by the burn
and less able to fight off
infections.
For a severe burn speedy
medical treatment is the
best first aid. Keep the
person calm, quiet and
hydrated to prevent shock.
For common burns there are
many topical treatments.
Aloe vera gel can be used as
needed to release heat and
decrease pain. Vitamin
E oil can be applied to
burns that have not broken
the skin open. It
reduces scarring and
inflammation. Diluted
calendula tincture applied
topically will prevent
infection. |
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What you can do TO
REDUCE THE DAMAGE
FROM BURNS: |
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APPLY ALOE
VERA QUICKLY
AND
LIBERALLY |
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TAKE
ANTIOXIDANTS
LIKE GRAPE
SEED;
THEY HELP TO
REDUCE SKIN
CELL DAMAGE |
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APPLY STRONG
SPF SUNBLOCK |
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WEAR A HAT
OR LIGHT
SHIRT |
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USE ZINC
OXIDE
OINTMENT ON
THE NOSE |
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MONITOR YOUR
TIME IN THE
SUN CLOSELY |
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DID YOU KNOW?
(SUNBURN FACTS) |
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The most
commonly
sunburned
part of the
body is the
nose |
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Sunburn
gives you
wrinkles |
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Radiation
damage from
burns can
stay inside
skin cells
for years. |
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Do not use greasy substances
for first aid. They prevent
heat dissipation and may
worsen the burn. Once the
burn has begun to heal the
goal of treatment is to
reduce scarring. Vitamin E,
rosa mosqueta or calendula
cream can help.
Use sunscreens to protect
against sunburn. Sunscreens
containing physical sun
blockers like zinc oxide and
titanium dioxide block both
UVA and UVB rays. New
technology makes the
particles so small that they
go onto the skin with no
white coating. The
protective agents need not
be absorbed into the skin in
order to work therefore they
are less harmful to the
body. You can find these
sunscreens at health food
stores and through National
Nutrition. |
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A diet high in whole grains,
raw fruits and vegetables
provides a good source of
vitamins, minerals and
antioxidants. Drink lots of
water to prevent
dehydration. Yellow fruits
and vegetables containing
vitamin A should be
consumed. B vitamins
support the immune system
and can be acquired by
eating nutritional yeasts.
Foods high in potassium such
as bananas, potatoes and
tomatoes should be eaten to
balance electrolytes.
Consume ocean-going fish,
nuts, seeds and cold pressed
oils for essential fatty
acids.
The following list of
supplements can be used for
treating burns. Adult doses
are given.
(CLICK SUPPLEMENT NAME FOR PRODUCTS).
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SUPPLEMENT |
DOSAGE |
THERAPEUTIC
EFFECT |
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Essential Fats |
2400-6000mg daily in
divided doses |
Help to moisturize
the skin and speed
healing. Use a
3-6-9 combination
with borage, flax,
and fish oil. |
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Grape seed
extract |
100mg twice daily |
A potent
antioxidant.
Helps to reduce
radiation damage
from sunburn |
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Aloe Vera Gel |
Apply topically or
take 4oz internally
daily of the juice |
Soothes and speeds
healing. Can
be used internally
as well as
externally. |
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Multivitamin with
minerals |
As
directed
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Strengthens skin and
reduces burns by
providing an array
of nutrients. |
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Vitamin C with
Bioflavanoids |
3000-10000mg daily |
Supports skin
healing. Reduce the
dose if diarrhea
occurs. |
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Vitamin A |
25
000IU daily |
Increase skin
healing. Do not use
if pregnant. |
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Vitamin E |
400-800IU daily |
Decreases
inflammation and
speeds healing. Use
caution if taking
anticoagulant
medication. |
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Silica |
10000mg daily |
Promotes skin
healing by providing
vital nutrients.
Use vegetable source
or gel form. |
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Also
beneficial for BURNS
& SUNBURNS: |
Vitamin B complex,
vitamin D, essential
fatty acids,
calcium, magnesium,
potassium, zinc,
amino acid complex,
aloe vera juice,
green tea extract,
colloidal silver. |
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For
informational
purposes only.
Please consult your
health care
practitioner before
taking natural
health care
products. Click here
for full disclaimer. |
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All articles
copyright National Nutrition
2001 - 2012. For educational
purposes only. Please note
that while National Nutrition
supports your right to use
natural health care products for
any therapeutic purpose that you
see fit, that the information on
this website should not be
considered as a claim or as a
substitute for medical advice. |
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