Burns cause a higher susceptibility to infection as compared to other forms of trauma, because of extensive skin barrier disruption, a higher proportion of moist and dead tissue, compromise of the immune system, prolonged hospitalization, and the need for invasive diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
This causes a very high increase in morbidity and mortality; and is adequately represented by the fact that nearly 75% of all deaths following burns are related to infection.
Modern treatment modalities include the adoption of strict aseptic precautions, appropriate intravenous fluid therapy and antibiotics.
In spite of taking adequate precautions, the death rate in burns patients continues to be very high.
Ayurvedic treatment can be instituted in such patients as additional, supportive therapy in order to reduce the death rate, increase the chances of survival and reduce the duration of hospital treatment.
Ayurvedic medicines can be given both internally as well as applied locally on the damaged skin tissue.
Medicines like Sukshma-Triphala, Arogya-Vardhini, Chandraprabha-Vati, Triphala-Guggulu and Panch-Tikta-Ghrut-Guggulu can be used to control infection and reduce the chances of septicemia or generalized infection.
Medicines like Maha-Manjishthadi-Qadha, Saarivasav, Gokshuradi-Guggulu, Punarnavadi-Guggulu and Punarnavadi-Qadha are used to accelerate the healing of the skin and also to remove dead tissue through the blood circulation.
This dead tissue generates toxins which can be harmful to important body organs like the liver, kidneys and lungs.
These toxins create an inflammatory reaction in the body systems which can have a cascading effect and bring about multiple organ failure.
Ayurvedic medicines are very useful in safely removing these toxins from the body.
Medicines like Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Punarnava (Boerhaavia diffusa), Gokshur (Tribulus terrestris), Kutki (Picrorrhiza kurroa), Yashtimadhuk (Glycyrrhiza glabra) and Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) are used to improve body immunity in order to fight infection, reduce inflammation, facilitate faster healing and prevent multiple organ failure.
In addition, ointments made from medicines like Manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia), Saariva (Hemidesmus indicus), Yashtimadhuk, Mandukparni (Centella asiatica), Chandan (Santalum album), Kumari (Aloe Vera) and Triphala (Three fruits) are used to help the burn wounds heal faster and to prevent long term sequelae like hypertrophic scars and contractures.
Medicines like Panchamrut-Parpati, Kutaj-Parpati and Suvarna-Parpati are used to aid in the healing process and to prevent the formation of toxins in the gastro intestinal tract.
Medicines like Yashtimadhuk, Pippali (Piper longum), Arjun (Terminalia arjuna), Kutki, Gokshur, Punarnava, Maha-Laxmi-Vilas-Ras and Hem-Garbha-Ras can be used to maintain body circulation at an optimum level and also preserve normal functioning of important organs like the lungs, heart, liver and kidneys.
Ayurvedic medicines can thus be judiciously used to reduce morbidity and mortality in patients hospitalized with severe burns.
Medico legal issues like obtaining consent from the patient or relatives and obtaining permission from the hospital authorities need to be sorted out in order to give the patient the maximum advantage of modern supportive care and Ayurvedic treatment.