Can CBD Oil Help Treat Burns?
21 September 2021We all occasionally stumble, bump our head, cut our finger, or touch something hot and get burned. Accidents happen, no matter how careful we are. That is precisely why everybody should keep some CBD in their medicine cabinet: it can help ease the pain and stop inflammation making matters worse. Burns are among the most common injuries for children and adults alike. They tend to be especially painful and likely to cause inflammation. So can the qualities of CBD Oil or CBD Salve help treat burns? Read on to find out!
CBD Oil As First Aid For Burns
Even the most cautious people get burns. You may get distracted when lighting a candle, or you let a pan of boiling water slip from your fingers. Hot fluids, open fire, and even the sun can cause burns, although electricity and chemicals are notorious too. Burns are intense injuries: they are highly painful and severely damage the skin, which can easily lead to scars.
We can distinguish three types of burns:
- First degree burns: skin reddens, but no blisters form;
- Second degree burns: blisters and swollen skin on affected areas;
- Third degree burns: severe epidermal and subcutaneous damage. Burns can be white, brown, or black and appear (almost) painless due to extensive nerve damage.
Rapid response is important for all types of burns, either by cooling or by seeking help. First degree burns are suitable to treat by yourself. Hold the burn under lukewarm running tap water for ten to twenty minutes to cool it down. After this, you can apply CBD Oil and CBD Salve to ease the pain, protect against bacteria, and counter inflammatory reactions. Further medical treatment is not strictly necessary, although you can always consult a doctor if in doubt.
Second degree burns demand immediate cooling too. Here, CBD Salve and CBD Oil can be applied as an antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic first aid for burns as well. If the burn affects your hands, feet, face, joints, or genitals, visiting a doctor is advisable. When in doubt, or if symptoms seem to grow worse, you should seek medical guidance.
Third degree burns are not suited to treat by yourself. These burns are severe and can even be fatal. Seek professional help immediately.
What Can CBD Oil Do For Burns?
The characteristics of CBD make this cannabinoid a good natural supplement to use for superficial burns. Burns involve pain and inflammations, and the resulting skin damage increases the risk of bacterial infections. Although research into the specific effects of CBD Oil on burns is still quite sparse, it appears as though cannabidiol could be particularly effective for controlling these symptoms.
The effects of CBD (cannabidiol) arise from its capacity to affect the body’s own endocannabinoid system (ECS). The receptors of the ECS extend all throughout the body, including the skin. Here, the ECS influences various processes including cell growth, hormone production, and cell death. Cannabinoids like CBD are capable of interacting with cell receptors, allowing them to influence the body’s mechanisms for pain relief, inflammation, and countering infections.
Research Into CBD’s Effects
Research indicates that CBD Oil may be helpful in case of burns. One 2019 study tested the antibacterial properties of cannabidiol. Researchers tested its effectiveness against staphylococcus and streptococcus bacteria, as well as against so-called superbugs that have grown resistant to normal antibiotics. It turns out that CBD can destroy these bacteria within 3 hours, whereas standard antibiotics like Vancomycine require 6 to 8 hours to do the same. Even though CBD cannot be used against all species of bacteria, these results are promising nonetheless.
The antibacterial properties of CBD Oil are highly useful in case of burns. The skin is a vital line of defence for the body that keeps out external intruders. Burns can damage this defence line, increasing your vulnerability to bacteria and viruses. CBD can be used to reduce the chances of infection after burns.
Inflammation is another major risk associated with burns. Inflammatory responses are the body’s natural reaction to pathogens and other threats. That can be very helpful to protect the body in case of certain injuries. However, if the inflammation response is too intense, it can slow down the healing process and cause additional pain. A study conducted in 2010 and published in Future Medicinal Chemistry demonstrated CBD’s ant-inflammatory effectiveness. When the University of Aberdeen decided to investigate CBD’s effects on wounds, they found that CBD can help retain normal cellular calcium levels. This protects cells from the effects of trauma.
Lastly, of course, there is the often severe pain caused by burns. CBD can prove useful here as well; both by applying CBD Salve to or around burns, or by oral use of CBD Oil or CBD Tablets. Studies have shown that CBD can work as a natural analgesic in case of inflammations and neuropathic pain. That means the pain-reducing properties of CBD can be highly useful in case of burns.
Treating Burns With CBD Oil
If you or someone near you suffers burns, remember to always cool first. In case of severe second degree or even third degree burns, call the emergency services right away. For first degree or superficial second degree burns, however, cannabidiol can be an effective treatment after cooling long enough. You can either apply CBD Salve onto or around the burns, or take CBD Oil against the pain. Again, if you have any doubts about the severity of burns, never hesitate to consult your doctor. Medical professionals can provide further advice about further treatment.
