Can I use toothpaste on burns? How to treat burns with traditional Chinese medicine

I believe that burns are something that many people will encounter in their daily lives. Generally speaking, after a burn, people often use folk remedies for treatment. So, can you use toothpaste on burns?

Can I use toothpaste on burns?

Can't. Burns can be mild or severe, and the key is to prevent infection. Some anti-infection drugs such as lincomycin lidocaine gel can be used. However, toothpaste has no anti-infection effect and may even damage the skin, so it is not recommended.

How does traditional Chinese medicine treat burns?

Treating burns with Platycladus orientalis and rhubarb

【Functions and indications】Mainly used to treat burns and scalds.

[Prescription composition] 240 grams of fresh Platycladus orientalis leaves, 60 grams each of Sichuan rhubarb, Chinese angelica, and Sanguisorba officinalis, 90 grams of Sanguisorba officinalis, 30 grams of Sophora japonica beehive, yellow wax (150 grams for winter and 210 grams for summer), 1000 milliliters of sesame oil, and 9 grams of camphor.

[Usage and Dosage] Chop the rhubarb into fine powder, take half of the blood residue from each man and woman, wash with alkaline water, dry it, put the sesame oil in a pot and heat it to boiling. First add the Platycladus orientalis leaves, then the Angelica sinensis, and then the Sanguisorba officinalis. Fry until they are black and dry, then remove the residue. Then add the blood dross and beehive, fry until they are dry, then remove and filter. Add the rhubarb and yellow wax while they are still hot, and finally add the camphor. Stir well and wait until it cools down, then store in a large-mouthed porcelain bottle for later use. When using, wash the affected area and apply it. The blisters should be cut open before applying medicine, fixed with gauze, and changed once a day until they are healed.

[Additions and subtractions] For patients with severe burns, internal decoctions must be taken: 3 grams of amber, 1.5 grams each of cinnabar and borneol, grind them into fine powder. Then squeeze 1 cup of radish juice. Add 2 cups of boy's feces and drink the powder.

[Dos and Don'ts] Avoid scratching with your hands, eating spicy food, smoking, drinking, etc.

[Case Verification] This prescription was used to treat more than 500 patients with burns, and all were cured. For minor burns, external application of medicine is usually sufficient; for severe burns, internal decoctions must be taken.

Millet borneol for burns and scalds

【Functions and indications】 Clears away heat and relieves pain. Mainly used to treat burns and scalds.

[Prescription composition] 500 grams of millet and 6 grams of borneol.

[Usage and Dosage] Take 500 grams of millet and put it in an iron pan, fry it into charcoal, add 6 grams of borneol, grind it into a very fine powder, and mix it with sesame oil to make a paste. After cleaning the wound surface according to the general method, apply millet powder about 2 mm thick, cover with glossy paper, then cover with 5 to 6 layers of gauze, and fix with a bandage (exposure therapy can also be used). Start by changing the dressing every day or every other day, and then every 2 to 3 days.

[Case Verification] This prescription was used to treat 30 cases and achieved satisfactory results. After treatment, local symptoms improved rapidly. For those with first-degree burns with red skin or a few small blisters, it can promote early recovery; for second-degree burns and scalds, it usually takes 5 to 7 dressing changes to heal.