Burns are one of the most common household accidents that can damage the skin layers and consequently your natural beauty by causing irreversible scars. Exposure to many different sources like heat, radiation, chemicals, and electricity can lead to burning scars.
Depending upon the severity and burn degree, it is possible to get treatment at home or seek medical care from the hospital. However, in the heat of the moment, it may not be easy to figure out what to put on the burn so that it heals quickly.
This article will help you guide all you need to know about burn care and the best treatment you can take immediately at home. You will also find the best ointment for burns that can help you provide relief instantaneously.
Can I Treat A Burn At Home?
There are different degrees of burn that boiling liquids, electric shock, or exposure to flames can cause. Although one cannot prevent these accidents, however, can seek solutions at home that can be helpful to heal and alleviate the pain of the burn.
As we are helping you to find answers to treat burns at home, it is important to know that you can only treat or shout treat first and second-degree burns at home. However, you should immediately seek medical help in case of third and fourth-degree burns.
- First-degree burns only affect the outer layer of the skin. There may be signs of redness and swelling; however, they are mildest and can improve within a week.
- Second-degree burns affect deeper layers of skin, and blisters may appear. These burns may take a little longer to heal completely
These burns are not severe and can be healed with the help of the best healing ointment for burns that you can apply. In addition, there are some home remedies that you can follow. That includes applying aloe vera, petroleum jelly, raw potatoes, and honey.
Possibly, any burn you receive will likely cause you to try to soothe the pain by immersing the affected part in cool water. But believe us! rather than wasting time washing your burn with running water, these mentioned remedies used with an antibiotic ointment for burns will not only help reduce your pain but also prevent infection and speed up the healing process.
Which Ointment Is Best For Burn Healing?
There are several helpful ointments for burns that you can easily find in the local market or online. However, the choice of topical agents and dressing depends upon the extent of the burn. We will help you decide on the best burn gels that you can use on any patient of any age to help heal and relieve pain.
1. Generic Bacitracin
Bacitracin is an antibiotic ointment for burns that is helpful in treating minor skin lesions, including burns and scrapes. The drug has received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The only ingredient in generic bacitracin ointment is bacitracin. In addition to mainly treating burns on the face and ears, you can use them to treat burns on various body parts. The goal of this one of the best healing ointments for burns is to prevent infection.
How To Use Bacitracin?
Generic bacitracin can be applied 2-3 times a day. Applying it over the cleaned area is preferable, so better wash your wound and pat it dry. A thin layer of bacitracin is then applied and evenly spread over the affected region.
2. Brand and Generic Neosporin
Neosporin is another highly prescribed and commonly used over-the-counter burn ointment. Unlike bacitracin, Neosporin is available in a variety of forms, with the most common being a formula with 3 antibiotics, also known as a triple antibiotic ointment for burns.
It contains bacitracin, polymyxin B, and neomycin and is available as a variety of brand and generic ointments or creams. Neosporin for burns is also available in different types that include;
- Neosporin + Pain Relief Ointment.
- Neosporin + Pain Relief Wound Ointment.
- Neosporin + Pain Relief Cream.
- Neosporin Kids Plus Pain Cream.
- Neosporin Lip for lips (containing petroleum jelly).
Many popular brands of Neosporin usually contain 0.5 ounces of Neosporin original topical antibiotic ointment and provide 24-hour infection protection for minor wounds. They also contain moisturizing agents that nourish and provide healthy skin to minimize the appearance of scars after healing.
How To Use Neosporin?
After cleaning the affected area, apply a thin layer to your skin. A sterile bandage can be used over it. It should be applied twice or thrice a day for effective results.
3. Polysporin
Polysporin is another over-the-counter antibiotic ointment used to heal burns and minor scrapes. This product consists of two types of antibiotics, bacitracin and polymyxin B that help catalyze the healing process of skin wounds. The product helps in healing and preventing infections and is for external use only.
How To Use Polysporin?
Before applying the polysporin, clean and pat dry the affected area, apply a small amount of cream over the wound and rub a little if your condition permits. This product can be used 1-3 times a day or as prescribed by your doctor.
Which Is Better For Burns — Bacitracin or Neosporin?
Bacitracin and Neosporin are both over-the-counter burn antibiotic ointments that are easily available. Both of these products are used in a similar manner; however, they contain different active ingredients, hence may react differently for different people.
Bacitracin ointments only contain bacitracin as an active ingredient, whereas Neosporin contains a combination of active ingredients, including Bacitracin, polymyxin B sulfate, and neomycin sulfate. Some people may face allergic reactions from Neosporin due to neomycin sulfate and may prefer Bacitracin; still, both have worked safer for most patients.
Contrarily, there has been no recent research that has explicitly compared the results and effects of Bacitracin and Neosporin. Therefore, it is difficult to conclude which one of them is more effective and safer.
Before deciding which of the products will be better for you, we advise you to go through the ingredients, compare similarities and differences and then make any decision.
What Do Doctors Prescribe For Burns?
If you are getting treatment for your burn from a medical specialist, they will first assess you completely for the severity of the wound. However, if the burning severely affects deep layers of the skin and affects more than 10% of your body, the suggestion would be to transfer you to a specialist burn center.
If you have a minor wound that can easily heal with the help of antibiotic ointments, your doctors would suggest similar to what we mentioned about the best over-the-counter ointment for burns. These include Bacitracin, Neosporin, or Polysporin. However, the treatment for serious wounds can vary from medications, wound dressing, and even surgery.
What Is The Best Over-The-Counter Product For Burns?
Even minor burns can result in itching, pain, dry, peeling skin, and the chance of infection. You can typically treat minor burns at home and recover in one to two weeks. When treating burns at home, over-the-counter burn care products are never a bad idea. This is because using over-the-counter burn cream or ointment can help during the healing process to give you relief and fasten the healing process.
Some of the best ointments for burns, scars, and blisters are:
- Bacitracin
- Neosporin
- Polysporin
- Aloe-based ointments
- Special medicated dressings
Should I Use Neosporin On A Burn?
Neosporin for burns is one of the effective and appropriate options to use for treating minor burns. It is also known as a triple-antibiotic ointment as it consists of broader antibiotic coverage.
The ingredients in Neosporin would not just prevent bacterial infection but also kill any existing bacteria inside the wound. Specialists widely prescribe it and is an easily available OTC burn antibiotic to help heal and recover from burn wounds.
How Do I Heal A Burn Quickly?
First and second-degree burns are very common, specifically when you are into household activities or have a higher exposure to the sun. However, these are minor burns and usually do not need medical attention. You can easily follow specific steps that we will guide you through to help prevent infection and alleviate pain.
- Apply any cold compress for about 10-15 minutes to reduce the pain.
- Use any over-the-counter burn ointment and apply a small amount over the affected part. It will not just help in preventing infection but also relieve pain and reduce inflammation. If you get blisters, then the best cream for burn blisters is Neosporin.
- Try to keep the burned area protected from friction and pressing forces.
- Keep the affected area protected from the sun, as it can cause permanent scarring. You can wear SPF and protective clothing for that.
The Importance Of Getting Medical Advice For Burns
If you are still determining the severity of the burn, then it is best to seek medical advice. Home treatments are only suitable if you have a minor burn that can heal within 1-2 weeks.
If you have a burn on the nether regions or face, please get a consultation from a doctor. In case you have the treatment at home, but swelling and pain are not fading, or if there is a discharge from the wound, we advise you to get a medical opinion as soon as possible.
