Usually when we suffer from any disease we immediately rush to doctors and seek medicines. We are unaware of the fact that our kitchen itself is a store house of remedies. Many common ailments can be cured using items of our daily use. Let us learn a few home remedies for our common illnesses

Burns and Scalds

Burns and blisters are caused when the skin comes in contact with excessive heat. Depending on the severity, burns are classified as first degree burns, second degree burns and third degree burns. When the burns are deep and a large area is affected, (i.e. second and third degree burns) immediate medical help must be sought. Most of the times, they are non-threatening and are minor, and can be treated using home remedies.

Wash the affected area with cold and chilled water and apply curd. Wash this off with normal water after the burning subsides.
When a large area is affected, wash the affected area with cold water and put a towel dipped in cold water on the affected area for about 30-40 minutes to cool it down.
Wash the burnt area with cold water and apply sodium bicarbonate (baking soda).
As the wound starts healing, cut a capsule of vitamin E and apply on the affected area. This prevents scarring.
Once the wound starts healing, you can apply ripe papaya paste to help healing.
Applying a paste of fresh tomato on the burn immediately helps.
Sprinkle baking powder or cooking soda on burnt skin. It absorbs heat and soothes the skin. This is very handy for minor kitchen burns as these ingredients will be readily available in kitchen.
When the skin gets burnt, place the affected part under normal tap water to prevent blisters or further damage.

Sunburn

Sunburn is characterized by the reddening of the skin after prolonged exposure to sunlight. The signs and symptoms of sunburn are not immediate and they could take a while to appear, but will definitely surface within a period of 24 hours after exposure to the ultraviolet rays of the sun.

When the skin is overexposed to the ultraviolet rays from the scorching sun, sunburn is caused. Other sources of ultraviolet rays like welding arcs, tanning lamps can also cause sunburn. It can cause skin cancer. Sunburn should never be taken lightly because it may even lead to death or permanent disability. Fair skinned people are at greater risk as compared to dark skinned people.

Finely grated cucumber or orange fruit pulp can be applied on burnt skin for a soothing effect.
Apply mustard oil on the affected region.
Add Epsom salt or baking soda to your bath water.
The pulp of ripe papaya mixed with little thick watermelon juice or mango juice can be applied on the affected skin.
Mixture of lemon juice, with thick watermelon juice, mango juice or papaya juice and milk cream along with a pinch of turmeric can be applied, especially on the face and washed off within 30 minutes.
Applying fresh curd to which a teaspoon of thick watermelon juice, mango juice or papaya juice and a pinch of turmeric has been added to the affected area is quite soothing.
Cucumber juice mixed with lemon juice applied for a few days lightens the tan caused due to sunburn.
Applying a thin paste of sandalwood is an age old remedy.