Kitchen Burn Myths

A common injury in any kitchen are burns. And equally as common are misconceptions about how to treat the injury. Many of these fast kitchen cures can actually make the burn worse. Here is some quick notes on good and bad things to do when you get burned.

• Butter: This is a common one. Too bad it’s terribly wrong. The coolness of butter out of the fridge may provide some pain relief, but the butter melts quickly against your skin. Butter and margarine retain heat in tissues and can make the burn worse. Plus grease offers great food for bacteria, so leave the butter for your bread.
• Vinegar: OK, sounds like more pain right? Nope. Soak a towel with some cold vinegar (white, cider, or rice) and hold it against the burn for several minutes. Not only does it act as a weak anesthetic, but also kills the bacteria that could infect your burn.
• Cold Meat: Similar to butter. Feels good for a bit, but the bacteria in the meat multiply in your burn and spread. Bad news.
• Potato Peel: Another weird one that is actually good. They use this in hospitals. The alkali property clean disinfects the would and keeps it moist. Plus when you take it off, it doesn’t hurt like a band aid. Unfortunately, you must suffer through the pain.
• Egg Whites: Usually kept in the fridge, so the coolness feels nice. Plus it’s properties already fight bacteria, so help disinfect the burn.
• Honey: There is some truth to this, honey kills many bacteria. However, it’s also food for others. Use it at your own risk.
• Baking Soda: Works for soothing many things. Mix it with cold water to make a paste and put over the burn.
• Misc bad ideas: onion juice, bleach, alcohol (ouchy!), vanilla extract, milk.

Hope this helps! Personally I just run cold water over my burn until I’m ready to go back to work. No time for pain in a kitchen!!

~ by Michael Taeuber on November 2, 2007.