How often do you get a little cut while chopping vegetables or a minor burn while cooking? Have there been times when your child came back home with a few bruises after playing outside? You must be probably nodding your head as the answers to these questions is yes! For every little injury, you can’t rush to a hospital. And you don’t need to. After all, you can find first aid in your kitchen! Yes, many women like to keep a little box loaded with band-aid strips, a bottle of antiseptic liquid and a few gauze rolls. But you can also use natural ingredients to make your child’s wounds go away. Read on to know which all kitchen ingredients can be used as first aid.

If you thought that you could only make face packs for glowing skin at home then think again. Home remedies go beyond beauty! HealthShots got in touch with Dr Shishir Agrawal, Unit Head and Senior Consultant Speciality – Plastic, Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery at Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute, New Delhi, to know which all kitchen ingredients can be used as a first aid kit.

First aid remedies to treat cuts and burns

1. Cool water

There are times when your fingers get burnt while cooking or your child ends up with a few burns after pouring something which is piping hot. Dr Agrawal says the the first thing to do when you get a minor burn is to run cool, not cold water over the burn area for about 20 minutes. In case of oil burn, wash the burned area with mild soap and water.

2. Cool compresses

A cool compress or clean wet cloth put over the burnt area helps to relieve pain and swelling is one of the best first aid remedies. Try not to use cold compresses in excess because it may cause irritation and more burning.

3. Turmeric

Turmeric is one powerful kitchen ingredient. Considering the health benefits of turmeric, it’s best to keep it in your kitchen. This common, useful and effective kitchen ingredient has great, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and antibacterial properties. The healing agents present in turmeric help in faster healing. This can be used as a first aid on small wounds and cuts. Applying this also helps to prevent the growth of any infection of your skin.

4. Aloe vera

Aloe vera is fondly known as the “burn plant” (how to use aloe vera for skin, hair and overall health). The expert says that aloe vera is anti-inflammatory, promotes circulation, and inhibits the growth of bacteria. You just need to apply a layer of pure aloe vera gel from the leaf of an aloe vera plant directly to the affected area. If you buy aloe vera from a store, make sure it contains a high percentage of aloe vera. Avoid products that include additives, especially colouring and perfumes.

5. Honey

Apart from honey’s delicious taste, it can also helps in healing a minor burn. Looking for an anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal ingredient? Try using honey then.

The expert says that these kitchen ingredients can be used by anyone with small cuts and minor burns. But if you or your child is bleeding profusely, you should go to a doctor for proper treatment.