SKIN BURN from ESSENTIAL OIL

Swollen, blistered, red and stiff, my hand was injured by a full strength pure essential oil. The culprit was Peppermint, but please do not blame this wonderful stuff. It was all my fault. I know better. I was taking the bottle from the shelf and the lid was damaged allowing the oil to splash onto my hand.

The proper way to react to this would have been to immediately apply a carrier oil to the exposed skin and wash with soap and warm water. I was with a customer at the time and did not do this until about an hour later resulting in a fairly serious burn.

My repeated warning in every newsletter has always been, "Please do not take herbal information lightly." Some herbs, essential oils, extracts, etc., can injur you in ways that may surprise you.

On the other hand (no pun intended) the same substance, when used correctly, can heal you in ways that may surprise you.

All is well now. My left hand was also affected but not as much as my right hand. I was very careful not to cause more injury while healing and the injury itself limited the use of my hands for about a week.

The remedy necessary after that hour had elapsed was to apply a carrier oil and wash as much essential oil as possible off the surface of the skin with soap and warm water. Since penetration was obvious (I was feeling the burn) I turned to ice water soaking and fresh aloe vera followed by a pure cocoa butter rub for the rest of the day. The next few days I continued this treatment and included a calendula flower petal wash. As the swelling began to go down, I added a comfrey leaf wash and gotu kola powder to the regimen.

After about a week of this, it seemed as though I had a glove on my hand. And that "glove" of skin began to peel off almost in tact. No scarring or signs of injury remained after that "glove" came off.

My hands are even softer and more flexible than ever. I am trying to remember how long this healing took ... may have been two weeks all told. I love herbs!