Treating minor burns. Ice, grease, or what?
Minor burns are common but require early and appropriate care to avoid infection and scarring. Damage can be arrested by immersing the burn in cold water as soon as possible. The goals of care are then to remove dead tissue and protect viable tissue during healing. Very superficial burns require only application of an emollient to limit inflammation and pain and prevent desiccation. Partial-thickness burns that are clean and superficial may benefit from use of a biosynthetic bilaminar membrane dressing, which forms a skin substitute while protecting the wound. A patient with an infected wound or one on a primary area (hands, feet, face, or perineum) may have to be hospitalized to ensure proper care.
Phillips
L G
LG
Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston 77550.
Robson
M C
MC
Heggers
J P
JP
D001458:Bandages; D002056:Burns / Q000628:therapy*; D017679:Cryotherapy; D004643:Emollients / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005223:Fats / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy
D004643:Emollients; D005223:Fats