Famous Death Row Last Meals
Riz au Lait: The Frenchman's Ultimate Comfort Food
Yeeeeoowwwch! My pal Kathleen is an avid and talented baker, and in the midst of a late night apple tartlet frenzy, managed to wound herself severely with a lashing of molten sugar. If you've never suffered a sugar burn, consider yourself among the blessed. Professional bakers refer to boiled sugar as "edible napalm," as it's blisteringly hot and adheres to skin in a way that make it almost impossible to wash or scrape off in the frenzy of the moment.
Yes, a hospital trip would have been a logical solution, but a New York City emergency room on a Friday night seemed like neither an efficient nor inexpensive bet. Kathleen took to the internet to research the appropriate first aid for a sugar burn, and made a quick stop by Facebook to announce her plight. The sympathy and suggestions from friends began pouring in: "package of frozen edamame," "If hot sugar or water burns skin, place skin in cold water (not ice)." "Pure aloe squeezed from a leaf will promote healing, you should be able to obtain it from the greengrocer or garden shop." "Wrap lightly in gauze."
She settled for a combo of the latter two and is in much better shape today, but Monday (or, uh, Sunday) morning quarterbacking it -- what is in fact the best way to deal with a sugar burn? Even for veteran web researchers like those rallying around Kathleen, it proved incredibly difficult to pin down an definitive answer. If we can collectively share some wisdom here in the comments, perhaps it might serve as a starting point for someone in a similar situation in the future. Links or advice, anyone?
Oh -- and I'm getting her an elbow-length silicone oven mitt for Christmas. Shhhh!
12 Common Workout Myths Debunked
Forbidden America: Cold War-Era Map Shows No-Go Zones For Soviet Tourists
Powerball Jackpot Winning Ticket Purchased In Florida
Tenants: Stench of Death Makes St. Louis Complex 'Unlivable'
Chili's Waitress Fired Over Facebook Post Insulting 'Stupid Cops'
Courtney Stodden Has A Sex Tape
2013 Billboard Music Awards: All the Winners!
2013 Billboard Music Awards: Arrivals Photos From the Blue Carpet!
PHOTOS:Eva Longoria's Almost Wardrobe Malfunction At Cannes
Ricardo Cerezo, Facing Eviction, Finds $4.85 Million Lottery Ticket
Man Takes Dump In Background Of Instructional Workout Video
River Lost 150 Pounds: 'There Is Hope. Grab Onto It'
MIT's cheetah robot runs faster, more efficiently, can carry its own power supply (video)
Forever 21 Worker Fired After She Tells Her Traumatic Story
LOOK: Dolphins Make Rare Underwater Find
2013 Billboard Music Awards Best and Worst Dressed
How Kidnapping Suspect Passes Time Behind Bars
Radio Host Makes Shocking Claim About Shooting Hillary Clinton
Police Investigate Student Shooting Death
Obama Approval Rating Not Hurt By Scandals
These American Companies Refused To Sign The Bangladesh Safety Accord
All The Pics: Jessica Ennis Marries Andy Hill
Mom Thought Family Was Being Stalked By 'Demonic Presences': Cops
Winning Powerball Numbers
LOOK: National Geographic's Stunning Photo Contest
Suspected PayPal Hackers Seek Deal To Stay Out Of Prison
Do Kimye's Baby Shower Invitations Reveal Something?
The Worst Job Interview Mistakes
You Can Blame Hipsters For That $7 Bud Light
PHOTOS: Aishwarya Rai's Cannes Style Evolution
Guess Which State Boasts The Most Million-Dollar Homes?
Former OJ Attorney Gives Shocking Testimony
11-30-2008 @9:30AM Paul Cornn said... Egg Whites! While the Aloe is great we don't always have it on hand. If it was available that would be my first choice too. Couple (ten) years ago when i was working as a line cook I spilled braising liquids on my, covered a good 50% of my torso. (Lesson: never try and left a HOT hotel pan full of corned beef above your head!) The burn was mostly superficial but a little 2nd degree in places. After finishing my shift, hey I needed the job, I soaked a towel in a couple of egg whites and wrapped it around me with a loosed bandage. The burn was still tender the next week or so but at least I was able to sleep.
Reply
11-30-2008 @10:24AM Jake Pulliam said... Keep an eye on it. If burned with sugar it could easily be a 3rd degree burn. If it is it should be checked by a professional.
Reply
11-30-2008 @12:00PM Rodney said... Burn Free is the only way to go. I had a cousin have a water heater explode near him giving him 2nd and 3rd degree burns on his face and hands. Luckily he had burnfree on hand. NO SCARS and it truly works for soothing the pain.
http://www.burnfree.com/p_home.asp
Reply
11-30-2008 @12:18PM LizAndrsn said... I'd say have some tea tree oil on hand -- tackle a Melaleuca Rep if you can. The MelaGel in a disk is perfect. It doesn't spill, and you can keep it in your pocket if you're accident prone. Works like a wonder on paper cuts from flour bags, too.
On Thursday, the honey from my baked brie leaked out and along the outside egde of my hand. Out came the MelaGel, and I was no longer a cookin' cussin' sailor.
Reply
11-30-2008 @7:09PM Dee said... I burn myself so frequently my homeopath gives me these two remedies. I have a travel set and a home set. I had quite a severe burn after touching some metal tongs that were held over a gas flame (don't ask) and between icing and the cantharis (repeated doses) no one could believe I didn't even have a blister.
Cantharis: This remedy is indicated for extreme burning pain, when the person is very intense and restless. It is often useful in reducing or preventing blister formation. Cantharis can help with any burn, but is most often indicated for severe ones (second or third degree).
Causticum: If a burn is intensely painful and blisters seem to be forming, this remedy may help to bring relief. The person often feels more sad than restless from the pain. Rawness and soreness may develop in the injured area. Causticum is also helpful when pain remains in older burns, or when burns have not completely healed.
Reply
11-30-2008 @8:58PM Evan said... Been there burned that. The best trick is to immediately get cold running water on it for 5 minutes.
The good news is that after having been burnt by sugar you'll have learned your lesson.
Reply
12-01-2008 @1:05PM Trivers said... with all burns:
first run under cool water (not ice) to stop the burn process. continue until wound is clean, or at least 5 mins.
if there are blisters or worse -emergency room. burns get infected very easily. also go to er immediately if the burn is anywhere on the face.
if the burn does not blister (first degree) use 100% aloe vera gel and wrap loosely in cloth, take ibuprofen for pain and swelling.
Reply
12-01-2008 @6:01PM Tierragirl said... No doubt someone is going to tell me there's a good reason NOT to do this, but it works...soy sauce. No joke. When I stuck my finger in a sauce of melted sugar (it was college, ok?), an Asian friend that happened to be over suggested dipping said finger in a small bowl of soy sauce, as that was her mother's tried and true remedy. Not only did it stop the pain immediately, it never blistered. Now my mom also swears by it.
Reply