Malaysian Doctor Warns That Using Home Remedies Such as Toothpaste on Burns Is a Seriously Bad Idea

There are many old wives’ tales and home remedies that someone will always recommend we use for all sorts of sicknesses and ailments. However, this may not be the best idea to follow that advice as it can have detrimental consequences.

Source: very well health

A medical doctor in Malaysia, Dr Kamarul Ariffin, recently posted a thread on Twitter advising others on what they should do if they experience any burns at home. You may have heard your mother or even some other well-meaning relative saying that you need to apply toothpaste, egg, soya sauce, flour, gamat oil and much more if you have the misfortune to suffer from any burns, but Dr Kamarul has warned that this is actually very bad for burns.

He shared a photo of someone who had recently been scalded by hot oil on their hand and had decided to apply toothpaste on the injured part. Unfortunately, this was the wrong thing to do because the hand got so swollen that it was almost unrecognisable. 

Source: twitter

Dr Kamarul said, “(Using these home remedies) can cause severe inflammation and can also lead to infection.” He goes on to explain that there are three primary types of burns, classified into first-, second-, and third-degree. He said usually first-degree burn victims experience pain, redness and non-blistered skin while second-degree burns come with blisters, pain and redness. For third-degree burns, the skin had a widespread thickness with a white, leathery appearance, and there would be no pain because the nerve endings are already damaged.

Instead of using home remedies that do more harm than good, the doctor advises the proper steps to take in case you experience burns or a similar injury.

Source: style craze

1. Make sure you move yourself or the victim away from the source of heat. Stay calm and don’t panic
2. Remove all jewellery, clothes and accessories that got burnt unless it’s stuck to the injured area
3. Put the affected area under running room temperature water for 15-20 minutes to stop blisters from forming. DO NOT use ice or cold water which can slow the healing process
4. If blisters form, allow it to heal naturally, do not prick it. Protect the affected area with a clean bandage

While all of this seems to be easy enough, Dr Kamarul advises people who have more serious burns such as second- or third-degree burns to visit the nearest clinic. If the injured area is bigger than the size of a palm, on the face or genitals, you should immediately head over to a doctor for treatment.

The tweet has since gone viral with over 16,000 retweets as netizens thanked him for this information. Some also asked him whether they could use aloe vera gel and the doctor said that it was fine for first-degree burns only.

Now that you know this information, don’t simply use any home remedies okay!

Also read: Doctor: Men Who Don’t Ejaculate Regularly Likely to Have Higher Risk of Prostate Cancer