There is a trick to applying burn ointment | Have you heard of Shiunko?

I am Yumeakari, a health-specialist fortune teller and former acupuncture, moxibustion, and massage instructor.

One of the most unpredictable injuries in daily life is a "burn."
It can happen while cooking, at work, or when a child accidentally touches boiling water.

How you treat a burn immediately after it happens has a major impact on the pain and the healing process.

In this article, I will share a family experience and talk about how to apply burn ointment, focusing on a traditional medicine called Shiunko,
as well as the importance of being prepared.

From the experience of my child burning their right hand

One day, my child spilled boiling water on their right hand.
Since it was their dominant hand, it was a huge shock to them.

My child instinctively took a Western ointment from the medicine cabinet and applied it themselves, but
the pain did not seem to subside.

For about two hours, my child kept holding a small ice pack to keep their hand cool.

What I realized at this moment was that it is not enough to just apply medicine.

I realized that the way the medicine is applied and the subsequent care make a big difference.

Choosing between light therapy and Shiunko

When treating the burn, I gave my child two options.

One was to use light therapy (Koukento),
and the other was to apply Shiunko.

At first, they said they wanted to try light therapy, so we did that for about 45 minutes.
Even so, a significant amount of pain remained, so we decided to apply a thick layer of Shiunko.

What I learned from this experience is that for burns, it is important not to "apply the medicine thinly," but
to apply it thickly enough to completely cover the surface of the skin.

The idea is to create a protective film on the skin with the medicine and have it adhere closely.

If you apply it too thinly, it might wash away due to the moisture from the ice pack.

Therefore, applying it thoroughly enough to cover the area is the key to relieving the pain.

In fact, once we applied it thickly, the pain seemed to ease immediately,
and they were able to go to sleep right away without even taking painkillers.

It was as if the fuss they were making just moments before was a lie.

The reality that Shiunko is hard to find

Now, regarding this Shiunko, it was not easy to find when I actually went looking for it.

I visited several drugstores, and it was only at the ninth store
that I was finally able to purchase it.

Recently, the shortage of pharmaceutical supplies has become a topic of discussion.

Is it due to that, or is it because demand is limited?
Or was it because there was little demand? It is unclear, but it was not being sold.

I have been told many times by store clerks, "It was here until recently."

In the end, I went around to stores in the same chain and finally managed to find it at a different drugstore chain.

It is reassuring to keep Shiunko in stock so that you can use it immediately in an emergency.

What is Shiunko? Its history and characteristics

Shiunko is a medicine derived from a prescription by Seishu Hanaoka, a surgeon who was active during the Edo period.
It has a long history and has been used continuously for skin problems.

Doesn't just hearing the words "traditional ointment" make you feel like you can trust it?
The fact that it has been used by people for hundreds of years is a reassuring support.

Characteristics of Kracie Pharmaceuticals' Shiunko

Kracie Pharmaceuticals' Shiunko has a slightly unique smell.

Because it uses lard as a raw material, some people may notice an animal-like scent.

Mainly for symptoms such as burns, wounds, and hemorrhoids is written on the box.
It is reassuring that burns are written at the beginning of the package.

Kracie Pharmaceuticals itself was originally a division of Kanebo, but
it changed its company name in 2007 to become the current Kracie.

Therefore, it has a history of being long-loved as "Kanebo's herbal medicine."

The company name "Kracie" seems to express the wish:
"To brighten our customers' hearts through our products amidst the changing seasons and their daily lives. We wish for such healthy, comfortable, and enjoyable 'living'."

Characteristics of Matsuura Yakugyo Co., Ltd.'s Shiunko

Another representative Shiunko is the one sold by Matsuura Yakugyo Co., Ltd.
This one has a relatively mild smell and feels milder to use.

Mainly for skin ailments such as chapped skin, cracks, and frostbiteis often used.

Other indications written include corns, heat rash, sores, trauma, burns, pain from hemorrhoids, anal fissures, eczema, and dermatitis.

Kracie also had the same indications written on it.

The package is labeled "Herbal Ointment," making it a visually easy-to-understand
design.

There is no major difference in ingredients between the two.
You might want to choose based on the scent.

Essential items for your first aid kit

Along with burn ointment, you should also prepare the tools necessary for treatment.
Wound pads, bandages, and tape to secure bandages are items you should always keep in stock.

The reason is simple: drugstores are often not open before you head to school or work the next morning.

While many drugstores are open late at night these days,
they are not open early in the morning.

Whether or not you are prepared makes a big difference in your ability to respond on the spot.
By preparing in advance, you can act with peace of mind without panicking.

Wisdom for dealing with burns is a valuable asset

Just as there is a trick to applying burn ointment, there are many things in daily life where
the outcome changes significantly depending on whether or not you know it.

The very attitude of trying to learn by reading articles like this
is truly wonderful.

For those who work in jobs with a risk of burns, those who have suffered from burns in the past, and those who want to be prepared for their children and family.

That sentiment itself becomes the strength to protect your loved ones when the time comes.

My child had a burn so bad that at first, they couldn't even hold chopsticks.
It was a severe level where they couldn't move their hand, but they chose not to go to the hospital.

(Both my child and I don't rely on hospitals easily.)

I think light therapy (Koukento) also had a significant impact.
We spent nearly an hour on it on the first day and the following day.

Today is the third day since the injury, and they seem to have recovered to the point where they can live normally, don't need bandages, and I even thought about removing the wound pad.

Summary

There is a solid trick to applying ointment when you get a burn.

Applying Shiunko thickly and keeping your first aid kit organized leads to peace of mind.

I discussed two types of Shiunko: Kracie Pharmaceuticals and Matsuura Yakugyo Co., Ltd.
Each has its own characteristics, and you can choose according to your preferences and needs.

It is important to be prepared at all times so you don't panic when the time comes.

That is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones.

Thank you for reading this long post🌸

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