Several types of medicines are used to treat burn skin, focusing on preventing infection and promoting healing.
Medications for Burns
The choice of medication depends on the severity of the burn. Here's a breakdown:
- Antimicrobial Ointments: These are primarily used to prevent infections, a major concern with burns. Examples include:
- Silver sulfadiazine: A common choice for its broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity.
- Mafenide: Effective against a wide range of bacteria, including some that are resistant to other antimicrobials.
- Silver nitrate: Another option for its antiseptic properties.
- Povidone-iodine: Used to reduce the risk of infection.
- Bacitracin: This is often used for minor, first-degree burns.
- Dressings
- Paraffin Gauzes: Valuable for superficial burns.
- Silver-based dressings: Preferable for deeper burns.
Types of Burns and Treatment
- First-Degree Burns: These affect only the outer layer of skin. Bacitracin may be sufficient for minor burns.
- Second-Degree Burns: These affect deeper layers of the skin and may require more potent antimicrobial ointments like silver sulfadiazine or silver-based dressings.
- Third-Degree Burns: These are severe and involve damage to all layers of the skin. They often necessitate specialized treatment, including surgical intervention, and may use silver-based dressings.
How They Work
Antimicrobial ointments work by killing or inhibiting the growth of bacteria and other microorganisms, which are common causes of infection in burn wounds. Proper wound cleaning and dressing changes are also vital.
Summary
| Medication | Use Case |
|---|---|
| Silver Sulfadiazine | Prevent infection in moderate to severe burns |
| Mafenide | Prevent infection in moderate to severe burns |
| Silver Nitrate | Antiseptic to reduce infection risk |
| Povidone-Iodine | Antiseptic to reduce infection risk |
| Bacitracin | First-degree burns |
| Paraffin Gauzes | Superficial burns |
| Silver-based dressings | Deep burns |
Reference: Antimicrobial ointments (such as silver sulfadiazine, mafenide, silver nitrate, and povidone-iodine) are used to reduce risk of infection. Bacitracin may be used for first-degree burns. One study found that parrafin gauzes are valuable for superficial burns while silver-based dressings are preferable for deep burns.24-Mar-2015
