Oil burns are a common injury especially in the kitchen, and will often occur during cooking. This kind of burn is categorized under a thermal burn, and usually benefits from quick action alongside the use of natural remedies that will hasten the healing process. Note that even while the remedies below are recommended for natural treatment, you must seek medical attention if the burn area is large as well as if it has covered a major joint or skin covering a vital organ to avoid complications later.

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Left untreated, oil burns lead to the formation of blisters which are quite painful, and may take a longer time to heal. Look out for the remedies listed below to treat minor oil burns. If you are concerned about your healing progress or experience complications, do not hesitate to see a doctor.

NOTE: Prior to the use of any of the remedies, it is important that you immediately get away from the source of the hot oil. This not only reduces the risk of further burns, it also allows you to act rationally. In addition to this, get rid of all clothing in order to prevent the burn from becoming intense. After this, you can then use any of the remedies below.

1. Cold Water:

Time Required: 20 Min
What You Need: Cold running water.
Difficulty: Easy

 

The first reaction to a burn is the intense heat that causes damage to the skin’s top layer. Your best bet in reducing this burning sensation is running cold water on the burn immediately. The coolness not only soothes the skin, it also helps reduce the rate of swelling. The most important thing when using this remedy is to avoid giving in to the temptation of using ice to soothe the burn.

This is because the ice causes a sudden dip in the temperature levels, and predisposes the skin to frostbite, which in turn injures the already damaged skin. In addition to this, avoid adding salt to the water as a disinfecting measure. Salty water causes a stinging reaction which only worsens the burn injury. Simply use cold running water as described below.

Directions:

  1. Hold the burned skin under running water for about 10 minutes.
  2. Once the skin has cooled, you may proceed to use any of the other remedies as an adjunct home solution.

 

2. Fresh Cucumber Slices:

Time Required: 15 Min
What You Need: Fresh cucumber slices.
Difficulty: Easy

 

Fresh cucumber slices are just as beneficial for minor oil burns as they are for swollen puffy eyes. The mode of action for this choice remedy is the immediate cooling off the skin, thus reducing the swelling that accompanies a burn. Cucumber slices also have the advantage of providing antioxidants that go a long way in reducing the inflammation of the bur, Research also indicates that cucumbers have pantothenic acid, an active ingredient that ensures the skin remains moisturized. All these properties offer soothing treatment for minor oil burns, and help speed up the healing process.

Directions:

  1. Simply place the fresh cucumber slices on the burn area.
  2. Let the slices remain there for about 10 minutes.
  3. Use this remedy every couple of hours until the burn starts to heal on its own.

 

3. Raw Organic Honey:

Time Required: 10 Min
What You Need: Raw organic honey
Difficulty: Easy

 

One of the most popular home remedies, raw organic honey plays a key role in the treatment of minor oil burns. This is attributed to its excellent antibiotic properties which help prevent infections from developing in the burned area. Raw honey is also recommended because its pH values are able to kill any existent bacteria while reducing the risk of infections. This remedy also has a cooling sensation that provides much needed relief from the pain. Overall, regular application of honey has been shown to be effective in the natural treatment of minor oil burns.

Directions:

  1. Gently apply a generous amount of the raw organic honey on the burn area and allow to dry.
  2. Use this remedy every two hours until you notice that the burn is healing.

 

4. Tea Bags:

Time Required: 20 Min
What You Need: Black teabags, ice cubes, and gauze (optional).
Difficulty: Easy

 

Black tea is rich in tannic acid, and this is what makes it a preferred option for the natural treatment of minor oil burns. When a used teabag is placed on the burn area, it helps draw heat from the burn, effectively reducing the burning sensation. This soothes the skin and enhances the healing process. Ice cubes come in handy in this remedy because they help cool the tea bags further, while gauze is used to hold the tea in place.

Directions:

  1. Simply place a fresh tea bag in warm water and let it steep for 5 minutes.
  2. Take the teabag out and put it on the ice cubes to lower the temperatures further.
  3. After about 5 minutes, place the cold teabag on the burn area and hold it in place using gauze.
  4. Rinse the skin under cold running water after 5 minutes. Repeat this procedure thrice daily for best results.

 

5. Vanilla Extract:

Time Required: 10 Min
What You Need: Vanilla extract and cotton wool.
Difficulty: Easy

 

For minor oil burns, one of the easiest home remedies you can incorporate in your natural treatment is the use of vanilla extract. In addition to the cooling sensation when applied, the extract also contains alcohol. This alcohol evaporates thus further cooling the burn area. This is one of the ways to reduce pain and inflammation at the burned skin, making the extract a simple and reliable remedy.

Directions:

  1. Put a few drops of the vanilla extract on the cotton wool and dab onto the burned skin.
  2. Do this for about 10 minutes. Repeat this remedy at least thrice daily until the skin heals.

 

6. Oats:

Time Required: 30 Min
What You Need: Oats (amount varies depending on the extent of the burn, between 5 tablespoons and 1 cup), and warm water. Baking soda (optional).
Difficulty: Easy

 

Oats have long been used for enhancing the health of the skin, thanks to their soothing properties. These healing traits come in handy as they lessen the levels of inflammation and improve the process of healing. Baking soda is an optional addition as it helps soothe the skin and reduce the itching sensation. There are two ways in which you can use this simple remedy: by adding the oats to bath water as well as by preparing a remedy for a localized part of the skin. Follow the directions below to make the most of this remedy.

Directions:

Preparing the bath soak:

  1. Place a cup of oats in the tub and run warm (not hot) water. You may add baking soda to the bath water at this point.
  2. Mix well and proceed to soak in the bath water for half an hour. This works best for cases where the burned skin is not easily accessible such as the back.

Preparing oats for localized action:

  1. Put 5 tablespoons of the oats in a bowl and add some water. You may add baking soda at this point.
  2. Soak the burned sin in this mixture and let it air dry until just a sparse layer of the oats is left.

 

7. Aloe Vera Leaf:

Time Required: 20 Min
What You Need: Freshly cut aloe vera leaf and cotton wool.
Difficulty: Easy

 

Aloe vera is a well-known remedy for the treatment of different skin conditions. When it comes to the management of minor oil burns, the gel’s astringent properties ensure that the injured skin does not continue burning. Aloe vera is also credited with tissue-healing properties that help ensure the injured skin recovers faster depending on the extent of the damage. The best way to use this remedy is to ensure that you use freshly cut aloe vera leaf. In the absence of this fresh gel, you may use store-bought aloe vera cream.

Directions:

  1. Squeeze the edges of the aloe vera leaf in order to release the gel present.
  2. Collect the gel and proceed to use the cotton wool to apply it on the injured skin.
  3. Allow the remedy to dry for about 20 minutes. You may rinse with cold water or apply a fresh layer after a couple of hours.
  4. Use aloe vera gel until the burned skin is completely healed.

 

8. Lavender or Olive Oil:

Time Required: 10 Min
What You Need: Lavender/olive oil and cotton wool.
Difficulty: Easy

 

Lavender oil is a choice home remedy for the management of oil burns because it acts as an antiseptic and prevents possible infections from affecting the injured skin. Additionally, lavender oil also has anti-inflammatory properties that provide pain relief and enhance the healing process. Olive oil on the other hand, comes in handy in treating such burns because it prevents the formation of scars as the skin heals. This oil also has the advantage of moisturizing the skin and preventing it from drying. Both oils are easy to use.

Directions:

  1. Place the cotton wool in either the lavender or olive oil and let it soak for a few seconds.
  2. Dab the cotton wool on the burned skin and massage as gently as you can. Use either oil daily until the skin heals.

 

9. Vinegar:

Time Required: 20 Min
What You Need: White vinegar, warm water, and cotton ball.
Difficulty: Easy

 

White vinegar has been used for years as a natural remedy for the treatment of burns. Vinegar has excellent anti-inflammatory properties that reduce the pain, making it effective for immediate use after a minor oil burn. Other properties that make vinegar ideal for treating such burns include its astringent properties and its antiseptic nature. The latter kills off bacteria, thus preventing infections at the site of the burned skin. You need some warm water to dilute the vinegar and prevent irritation of the skin.

Directions:

  1. Dilute the white vinegar with the warm water using the ratio 1:1.
  2. Soak the cotton ball in the dilute mixture and place it on the burned skin.
  3. Use this remedy daily for best results.

 

10. Coconut Oil:

Time Required: 20 Min
What You Need: Coconut oil, water bath, cotton wool, and a few drops of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Difficulty: Easy

 

Coconut oil has long been used as a superb home remedy for the treatment of different skin conditions, including minor burns from oils. This is largely because the oil has great skin-healing nutrients such as Vitamin E. That is not all as the fatty acids present in the oil work as both anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agents, this keeping infections in check.

If you’d like to speed up the healing process and prevent scarring, make sure you add lemon juice to the oil before application. Lemon juice has skin bleaching properties that help lighten he scars formed. You will need a water bath to melt the coconut oil as it tends to solidify quite a lot in low temperatures.

Directions:

  1. Put the coconut oil in a shallow bowl and place in the water bath to melt and make it easy to mix with the lemon juice.
  2. Add the fresh lemon juice and stir to mix well.
  3. Use the cotton wool to apply the mixture on the injured skin.
  4. Remember to apply the remedy daily until the skin is healed.

 

11. Additional Tips to Help Prevent Oil Burns :

 

  1. Cooking oils typically start smoking prior to catching flames. Whenever you notice the smoking, turn down the heat.
  2. Ensure that while cooking, pan handles do not face outwards towards you as this predisposes you to kitchen accidents.
  3. In case of a fire, never use water to put out an oil fire as this splashes and spreads the fire.

 

Oil burns, for the most part, are considered minor, and this is why the remedies above are recommended for quick recovery. In cases where these remedies do not seem to suffice, or a burn has got infected, it is important to see a doctor to prevent further complications. The faster you act with he remedies above, the higher the chances the burned skin will heal faster.

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