Treatment Options for Burns

>	Burns	Fractures	Wound Bed Preparation
	Leg Ulcers	Surgical Wounds	Tissue Viability
	Pressure Ulcers	Vascular Conditions	Infection & Inflammation
	Diabetic Foot	Lymphoedema	Moisture Imbalance
	I.V. and Catheter Sites	Soft Tissue Injuries	Edge of Wound
	Scar Management	Minor Wounds

Burns can be sustained in a number of ways. In children and the elderly, the most common cause of burns are scalds involving hot liquids, while in adults, flame burns are more prevalent. Other causes can include chemical contact, electrical and friction damage, and sunburn.

The seriousness of a burn injury depends on several factors including:

The size and depth of the burn
The location of the burn
The age and general medical condition of the burn patient

Clinical studies suggest that about 95% of all burns are relatively minor, however about 5% require hospitalisation and highly specialised treatment. The severity of a burn determines the type of treatment it requires. Previously, terminology used to describe burn damage included "First-degree", "Second-degree" and "Third-degree". This terminology has been replaced by the recognised grades of burns that detail the tissue depth as listed below:

Minor/Superficial (sometimes referred to as epidermal)
Superficial Partial Thickness
Mid Dermal Partial Thickness
Deep Dermal Partial Thickness
Full Thickness

Depth

Characteristics

Minor/Epidermal

Red

Painful

Usually not blistered

Will heal within approximately 7 days with no scarring

Minor/Epidermal

Superficial Dermal

Blistered with pale pink base

Very painful

Usually heals by epithelialisation in 10 - 14 days with no scarring

Superficial Dermal

Mid - Deep Dermal

Blotchy

Red or white base +/- blisters

No capillary return

Predominantly painless

Prolonged healing with possible scarring and contracture

Heal in 14 - 28 days

Mid - Deep Dermal

Full Thickness

Leathery, white or charred

Painless

Prolonged healing with scarring and possible loss of function

Full Thickness

For more information on the recognised grades of burn >

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Treatment

The clinical objectives for management of burns are:

Stabilise the patient
Cool the wound
Debride devitalised (necrotic) tissue
Protect from infection
Close the wound by first or second intention healing or by grafting

The impact of first aid cannot be overemphasized with rapid, effective first aid helping to prevent further damage and deeper tissue loss. Burn wound conversion refers to the process whereby tissue damage can extend to deeper layers resulting in prolonged healing. This increases the risk of complications post healing such as contraction and keloid or hypertrophic scarring.

Certain burns require assessment and/or admission to a burns unit. The Australian and New Zealand Burn Association (ANZBA) list the referral criteria to a burns unit on their website.

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Product Selection

Depth

Product Selection

Minor/Epidermal

Moisture donating:

Protective Dressings: