The efficacy of Aloe vera, tea tree oil and saliva as first aid treatment for partial thickness burn injuries
Burns. 2008 Dec;34(8):1176-82.
doi: 10.1016/j.burns.2008.03.012.
Epub 2008 Jul 7.
Authors
Leila Cuttle 1, Margit Kempf, Olena Kravchuk, Narelle George, Pei-Yun Liu, Hong-En Chang, Julie Mill, Xue-Qing Wang, Roy M Kimble
Affiliation
●1Royal Children's Hospital Burns Research Group, University of Queensland, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Royal Children's Hospital, Herston Road, Herston, Queensland 4029, Australia.
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PMID:
18603378
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DOI:
10.1016/j.burns.2008.03.012
Abstract
Many alternative therapies are used as first aid treatment for burns, despite limited evidence supporting their use. In this study, Aloe vera, saliva and a tea tree oil impregnated dressing (Burnaid) were applied as first aid to a porcine deep dermal contact burn, compared to a control of nothing. After burn creation, the treatments were applied for 20 min and the wounds observed at weekly dressing changes for 6 weeks. Results showed that the alternative treatments did significantly decrease subdermal temperature within the skin during the treatment period. However, they did not decrease the microflora or improve re-epithelialisation, scar strength, scar depth or cosmetic appearance of the scar and cannot be recommended for the first aid treatment of partial thickness burns.
Publication types
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Comparative Study
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Aloe*
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Animals
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Bandages
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Burns / therapy*
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Cicatrix
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Complementary Therapies / methods
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First Aid / methods
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Models, Animal
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Phytotherapy*
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Plant Preparations / therapeutic use*
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Saliva*
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Skin / injuries
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Skin / microbiology
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Swine
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Tea Tree Oil / therapeutic use*
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Treatment Outcome
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Wound Healing
Substances
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Plant Preparations
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Tea Tree Oil