40 Partial-thickness burns should be treated with a topical antimicrobial agent or an absorptive occlusive dressing to reduce pain, promote healing, and prevent wound desiccation. 1, 39 Topical corticosteroids have not been shown to reduce the inflammatory reaction therefore, they should not be used to treat superficial thermal burns or sunburns. 38, 39 Although there are no medication requirements for patients with superficial burns, evidence has shown that topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and aloe vera reduce pain. 37 The lipid component of these treatments accelerates the repair of damaged skin and reduces drying. Superficial burns can be treated successfully with topical application of lotion, honey, aloe vera, or antibiotic ointment. No antimicrobial activity messy provides a nonadherent barrier over the burn for absorptive dressings used for superficial burns 1Įxpensive painless allows seepage of exudates to secondary bandage 1ĭelivers low concentrations of silver broad-spectrum antimicrobial coverage nonadherent reduces pain expensive 1, 10, 12, 36 Impregnated nonadherent gauze (Xeroform, Vaseline gauze) Less pain and shorter time to wound closure than with SSD good for weeping burns malodorous opaque 1, 31, 35 Less pain and shorter time to healing than with SSD expensive but lower total treatment cost compared with SSD 28 – 30 one study showed effectiveness in superficial burns, but high failure rates with mid-dermal depth burns 34 Silver impregnated broad-spectrum antimicrobial coverage decreases dressing changes reduces pain decreases use of pain medications faster wound closure than with standard therapies 12, 27 decreased total cost compared with SSD 33

Good gram-positive antimicrobial coverage expensive painless requires frequent dressing changes can be used on face 1īroad-spectrum antimicrobial coverage painless requires frequent dressing changes delays healing stains tissue used in deeper partial-thickness burns relatively contraindicated in pregnant women, newborns, nursing mothers, and patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency or sulfa allergy 1, 6, 12, 24 – 26 Narrow antimicrobial coverage inexpensive painless requires frequent dressing changes can be used on face or near mucous membranes 1īroad-spectrum antimicrobial coverage penetrates eschar may delay healing or cause metabolic acidosis used for deep burns 1, 12

First degree minor chemical burn