We hope that every HIGH TIMES reader has a long and happy life dabbing on all of your favorite concentrates without ever experiencing the searing bite of a red-hot nail or torch. However, the unfortunate reality is that you’re getting super-baked and playing around with a blowtorch. In other words: Burns happen. And many of us daily dabbers have the scars to prove it.
So what should you do when you reach across the table to grab the Xbox controller and accidentally rest your elbow on a glowing hot nail?
The first thing is to keep calm and attempt to determine the severity of your new torch tattoo. Burns come in three types or degrees. First-degree burns are the least serious: They’re marked by redness and extend only to the outermost layer of skin. The affected skin may peel off after a day or two, and the burn typically heals in three to six days.
Second-degree burns extend into the skin tissue directly below the epidermis. These burns involve painful blisters and usually take two to three weeks to heal.
Third-degree burns damage all layers of skin. These types of burns can be very serious and should be treated by a medical professional. While third-degree burns are the most severe, they can also be the least painful, because they damage the nerves in the skin. The skin itself appears white or charred, and the healing is prolonged.
Your natural instinct may be to apply ice to a burn, but that’s not a good idea: Ice will lower your blood flow to the area and slow down the natural healing process. Here are a few better home remedies to deal with torch and nail burns and promote rapid healing and pain relief:
Tea bags. Keep a few used tea bags in a zip-lock bag in your fridge. A cool, moist tea bag is an excellent way to relieve a burn, and the tannic acid found in most teas (especially black tea) can reduce pain significantly.
Honey. With a pH that’s inhospitable to most bacteria, honey will not only cool the burned area; it will also prevent possible infection and promote scar-free healing.
Aloe. Probably the best-known treatment for burns, aloe will quickly stop the pain and inflammation, as well as reduce the swelling and stimulate skin repair.
Lavender oil. Make a solution of 1 teaspoon of pure lavender essential oil in approximately 2 ounces of water and pour it into a misting bottle. Mist the burned area with this solution to speed the healing process. Lavender oil is a natural antiseptic and will help to prevent infection.
Milk. Get that burn a nice glass of milk! Soak the injured area in milk for 20 minutes for quick pain relief; the fat and protein will not only soothe the burn but also promote healing. Full-fat, whole-milk yogurt can also help cool a burn and hydrate damaged skin.
