Second degree burns

How to Treat a Cigarette Burn on Skin

 
Max. D Gray
By Max. D Gray. July 28, 2017
How to Treat a Cigarette Burn on Skin

You do not necessarily have to be a smoker to suffer a cigarette burn. Cigarettes are not always in sight and when you least expect it a careless smoker may make a sudden movement and rub the ash from the person's cigarette against you. These burns are often very painful at that precise moment and, although the pain goes away after some time, the next day the injury can be bothersome. To get rid of this discomfort in this oneHOWTO article we explain how to cure a cigarette burn.

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Steps to follow:
1

The secret to cure a cigarette burn on skin is to immediately dampen the wound with cold water to remove any ash residues. You can also apply vinegar to soothe the burning feeling. Usually cigarette burns are second degree burns that will form a blister and can leave a permanent scar if not treated properly, just like other types of burns such as motorcycle burns.

2

Immediately after washing and cooling the wound you must apply an antibiotic cream or ointment to help relieve the pain and prevent the cigarette burn from swelling more than necessary. If you don't have an antibiotic cream near you, you can also use home remedies to treat burns, such as applying a teaspoonful of Manuka honey[1], as it has antibiotic properties. Immediately wrap with a bandage and get some triple antibiotic cream, as you will have to apply it for several days once a day.

3

To heal a cigarette burn it is recommended that you place ice on the wound and let the burn absorb the cold to prevent a blister from forming. Don't apply the ice directly, but wrap the ice around a cloth or similar so you prevent the wound from burning.

If the blister is formed it is advisable not to pop it as the blister acts as a barrier that protects the skin from germs and helps to regenerate tissue.

How to Treat a Cigarette Burn on Skin - Step 3
4

To prevent the cigarette burn from leaving a scar apply some aloe vera gel on the wound at least twice daily for as long as the scar heals. Aloe vera is ideal to regenerate skin tissue and avoid marks or scars after suffering an injury to the skin.

Remove the bandage after two to three days or until the wound has started to scar.

How to Treat a Cigarette Burn on Skin - Step 4
5

Avoid touching the burn, scratching it, touching or breaking the blister or applying toothpaste as all these actions will only worsen the state of the cigarette burn and mark your skin.

Once the wound has started to heal, it's highly important to exfoliate with a natural scrub such as coffee or sugar to get rid of skin cells twice a week.

Scars usually take around two to three weeks to heal, which is why you should avoid direct sunlight on the area if you want the scar to fade. It's also important to apply vitamin E capsule gel to avoid any marks on the area as well as daily aloe vera application.

This article is merely informative, oneHOWTO does not have the authority to prescribe any medical treatments or create a diagnosis. We invite you to visit your doctor if you have any type of condition or pain.

If you want to read similar articles to How to Treat a Cigarette Burn on Skin, we recommend you visit our Family health category.

Tips
  • Use pH neutral soap when cleaning the burn area so you don't damage the wound further.
References
  1. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0142961205007040
Bibliography
  • Davis, Stephen C., and Robert Perez. "Cosmeceuticals and natural products: wound healing." Clinics in Dermatology 27.5 (2009): 502-506.

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How to Treat a Cigarette Burn on Skin