ACUTE PERIOD
Topical coverage is selected according to the condition
of the wound, desired results and properties of the topical
agent. Assessment criteria for choosing the most appropriate
agent are given in Table 2.
The most widely used topical antimicrobial agent is silver
sulphadiazine (Table 3). Since silver sulphadiazine inhibits
proteolytic enzymes which enhance separation of the eschar
from a viable wound bed, timely use is essential. When
selecting topical therapy, the strengths and limitations of
each product should be taken into consideration.
Table 4
SELECTION CRITERIA: DRESSINGS
Promotion of healing
Pain alleviation
Application of pressure
Enhance debridement
Permit immobilization
Preserve function
Psychosocial considerations
The dressing strategy is chosen according to a rationale
such as that shown in Table 4. The choice of dressing
is based on the condition of the wound, desired clinical
results, and the properties of the particular dressing. The
Acticoat dressing allows for continual release of silver at
the wound site by incorporating the antimicrobial properties
of silver into a dressing material. It is important to
remember that burned surfaces should never be allowed
to touch each other. Burned fingers or toes should be
wrapped individually, and web spaces should be maintained
wherever possible.
OUTPATIENT MANAGEMENT
If the assessment shows that the patient’s burns are superficial,
with potential to heal by re-epithelialization within
seven to 10 days, management on an outpatient basis
may be considered. This decision will also depend on the
patient’s home situation, willingness to comply with treatment
and follow-up appointments, and location of the burn
wounds. For example, burns to the face, hands, feet or
perineum require special consideration.
Table 5
DRESSING MINOR BURN WOUNDS
Body Burns
Layer Dressing Rationale
Inner Petrolatum gauze Protects re-epithelializing
eg. Jelonetâ tissue
Middle Normal saline- Prevents dessication
Soaked gauze
Outer Dry gauze Promotes wicking of
exudate from inner &
middle layers; protects
wound
Gauze wrap Holds dressing in
Eg. Klingâ place
Facial Burns
Action Rationale
Normal saline-soaked Removes exudate from
gauze pads applied directly face
to burn, left on for
approximately 10 min. twice
daily.
Polysporinâ ointment Prevents conversion of
applied to face twice daily wound
as needed
Before a dressing is applied, burned areas must be
gently but thoroughly cleansed with normal saline solution.
Burned tissue should be debrided using sterile scissors and
forceps in order to reveal healthy tissue (Figure 2)
A suggested dressing strategy is shown in Table 5. The
patient should return to have the dressing changed every
three days, or more frequently if it is disrupted or if “breakthrough”
drainage occurs. With facial burns, face care
should be performed twice daily by the patient, with ointment
lightly reapplied as needed to keep the area lubricated.
In selected circumstances, “dirty” burn wounds may be
managed on an outpatient basis. Silver sulphadiazine dressings
must be changed at least once, but preferable twice,
daily to prevent conversion through dessication or infection.
Silver sulphadiazine must not be left in place for more than
24 hours. Acticoat is also clinically indicated in such
www.burnresource.com
Once the burn wound has healed, dressings can be discontinued
and a thin layer of Polysporinâ ointment applied.
After approximately one week, water-based moisturizers
can be substituted for the Polysporinâ ointment, to combat
dryness and return suppleness to the burn areas. Two highly
recommended, water-based lotions are Vaseline Intensive
Care Extra Strength Unscented and Complex 15.