Even before Hatzalah arrives, you can do a lot to lessen the severity of a burn. Read this and act fast.
On the first day of Yom Tov, with a house full of guests, my four year old pulled a pot of oil off the gas range onto himself. There were adults all around and he asked us, “Are there more Arancini Balls?”
We said, “No” but he didn’t believe us and wanted to see for himself. In one split second, the pot of oil, still hot from frying, was all over his body. My first reaction was to run out the door. But before followed my impulses, I very calmly lifted him up, put him directly in the sink, and started pouring cool water over his entire body, while instructing the other screaming kids to stop yelling (they were freaking out from the fear) and to start grating potatoes. Within minutes, three graters were out (who knew I had so many!) and the kids had grated potatoes ready for me. I started applying it to whatever skin I saw.
As a result of his quest for Arancini Balls, my son had some minor burns on his neck, hands, and legs and second degree burns on his upper arm and leg, but it could have been much worse. Yes, we called Hatzalah and took him to be checked out by a doctor but I truly believe the initial first aid is what helped him the most. And I can’t credit for it. In the past 2 years, I’ve read countless articles about burns in Ami Magazine, Wellsprings, and possibly more places. My subconscious took over, Hashem put those thoughts into my head; I really have no other explanation. How did I know that grated potatoes helped so much? Because the areas that I didn’t put the potatoes on as fast (I didn’t notice those burns until I undressed him a few minutes into the process) were the worst. I also watched how the red skin got lighter and smaller as I switched the potatoes. Since I wasn’t exactly sure what I was doing, five minutes in, I placed his body into a cool bath and when Hatzalah arrived, they checked him for shock and supervised him while he soaked in the water for a good 10 minutes.
(This, I later learned, is recommended by Hatzalah as it helps alleviate pain but not by any natural burn specialist as water can further cook the burns! There is also a concern for the patient to go into shock.)
After visiting the doctor, I started using the Burn Gemach’s cream on my son. Doctors don’t recommend this cream since it’s not yet FDA-approved, but I’ve seen amazing results with no scarring. Two weeks later, it was hard to tell where the burn was in most areas.
Mrs. Green in Yerushalayim is the originator of the concept of the Burn Gemach. She makes specialty creams that are lifesaving for burns, cellulitis, and skin ulcers. Today you can get those creams at Burn Gemachs all over the USA and Israel. Supreme Health Stores sell her creams under the MR Health brand. MR stands for Miriam Rosenfeld, a student of Mrs. Green, who taught many woman the method and helped spread the word in the U.S.
So what exactly should you do when you get a burn?
I asked Mrs. Green and she said NOT to put on any water or potatoes. She said to put on her cream, then wrap the burn with Saran Wrap and change it every 10 minutes. What if you don’t have her cream?
Here are the basic first aid instructions from the Chaya Malka Burn Foundation that corresponds with Mrs. Green’s advice and that of the Burn Gemachs:
Treatment for Burns from Flame, Hot Water, or Oil
First Response to Burns
Chose one of the following – the fastest you can get to:
- HONEY: apply and cover with Saran Wrap, change every 10 minutes until the pain is gone.
- ALOE VERA: apply and cover with Saran Wrap, change every 10 minutes until the pain is gone.
- WHITE POTATOES: thinly grate & apply 1 inch (2.5 cm high) and cover with Saran Wrap, change every 1 to 1½ to 3 hours until the pain is gone.
As the site is cooling off, the color of the burn should change from bright red to pink, and then to its normal color. Watch for reddening of the area. If you think the burn is infected, get expert help from a burn expert or emergency services in a burn center, hospital emergency room, or Hatzalah. You can use antibiotic powder sprinkled on top of the healing cream, then clear plastic wrap to prevent the bandage from sticking and cover with gauze to protect the delicate skin.
Change the bandage twice a day until the infection is healed. When the affected area is larger than one’s palm, oral antibiotics are recommended to prevent infection.
NEVER BREAK BLISTERS.
Submerging a severe burn in water is not recommended as it can cause the skin to blister.
Want to read more about this?
Click here to check out this first person’s account on how potatoes saved her skin.
Click Here to Read Ami Magazine’s Article on The Raw Potato Cure.
Click Here to Read the Wellspring’s Interview with Rabbi Shia Weinstock, EMT and expert on Natural Burn and Wound Care.
I am an EMT. A professional colleague of mine that I respect is a doctor of integrative medicine. I understand your desire to spread good by publicizing your story, however, in this situation there can be negative repercussions. Everyone is entitled to their personal beliefs, but to publish medical information that is unproven, as fact, is irresponsible. Here is a direct quote from the EMT book, which is based on medical research and evidence based care: “Immerse the area in cool, sterile water or saline solution, or cover with a clean, wet, cool dressing if the skin or clothing is hot. This not only stops the burning, it also relieves the pain… As an alternative to immersion, the burned area can be irrigated until the burning stops, followed by the application of a sterile dressing…”
We mentioned in the article that Hatzalah recommends this but Natural Burn specialist don’t. It’s up to each person to decide for themselves what they will do. May they never need this info.
The problem is that natural medicine like honey, aloe, and potatoes will never be evidence based. Only drugs are..obviously…. Theres no money in natural cures. Or they’ll instruct on pain relief like cool water. But never actual natural remedies that work. Doesnt mean there’ll be negative repercussions from using nature first and then seeking medical care if still needed. Not just with burns but in all areas of healing.
Very interesting and informative. Thank you!
But, back to the food, what are Arancini balls?! 😉
Lol. Fried rice with mozzarella cheese. The recipe is in Dairy Made Easy.
Where can I buy this cream in lkd?
Supreme Health
Is the cream sold online?
Thank you so much for this informative article! It’s so good to know where to begin from until help arrives. Sometimes, those first few moments not knowing from where to begin can seem like ages. Now I feel I know, at least, how to jump into action in the event of an accidental burn, until the professionals take over. Thank you!
Silvadeen cream is the way to go for a burn. Ask your doctor for a prescription.
Silvadene isn’t recommended as much these days. Speak to your doctor.
Saying each posuk of birchas kohanim 3 times each, daily, is a known to Segulah to heal burns. (Not the whole birchas kohanim 3x in a row. Each of the 3 posukim 3x separately 3x each) I can attest to many stories. One specific of 4 seminary girls on a beach got very burned. Ones father told her to say birchas kohanim and another joined her. Those two healed completely within a very short time. The other two suffered for days. For a young child say it for them. Dr. Have been shocked with the speed of heeling and lack of scarring when birchas kohanim has been said.
What is supreme health. Trying to find where to buy the cream in Florida. Thanks
Hi anyone know where online or in Florida this cream
Can be bought
Why r u trusting a “natural burn person” who has absolutely no medical training over medical professionals.
Cold water is evidence based to work the best it’s free and “natural”
Because western medicine has failed numerous times and you have people who have proof. My daughter got burned with a hot iron on her cheek, I used mr cream and powder and you can’t even tell where the burn is. Her pediatrician was floored but I’m sure he doesn’t recommend to his patients. They don’t know how to deviate from medicine to alternative.
Can you apply honey or potatoes a week after someone was burnt? Or is it in vain because too much time elapsed?
Thank you for this informative post. I am a Critical Care Nurse Practitioner at a nationally recognized hospital. I am a firm believer in reliance on evidence based medicine and disease management. The important point to make here, in my opinion, is that regarding honey/potatoes/aloe, while never recommended by medical professionals such as myself because no studies will ever investigate due to lack of funding, will most likely do little harm to a person so there is little to lose from applying these benign substances on the skin IF the skin is intact. So while I wouldn’t go so far as to discourage homeopathic practices such as these, I would use them as an ADJUNCT to professional medical advice.