INFECTED BURN DRIVER
INFECTED BURN SKIN

Antimicrobial cleaning products and dressings are considered good practice. The ideal environment for wound healing is one that is moist and clean. 6,7 More research is needed to provide a better evidence base for antibiotic use after burn injury.

INFECTED BURN DRIVER

4,5 Overuse of unnecessary antibiotics is a key driver for bacterial resistance, which is an international concern. Much of the published evidence – including randomised controlled trials – does not support the use of intravenous, oral, or topical prophylactic antibiotics (including the use of silver sulfadiazine or flamazine) in the routine management of burn wounds. The use of antibiotic prophylaxis after burn injury continues to be debated. 4 Children, unlike adults, are more prone to infection due to their immature immune system. Gallagher et al reported that bacterial growth will occur within a wound until healing is complete. 3 However, a burn of any size is at risk of infection prior to complete re-epithelialisation (healing). A minor or non-complex burn can be defined as one that is likely to heal within a maximum of 14 days. A burn on a large surface area will impair all of these functions, and a smaller burn will still leave the child at risk of infection.

INFECTED BURN SKIN

Any breach in the integrity of the skin may alter these functions. The skin has a number of important functions fluid homeostasis, thermoregulation, vitamin D synthesis, as well as providing a barrier to infection. Major burns of large surface area in children are rare and are usually scald injuries from hot baths, running taps or larger amounts of hot liquid spills. 2 Flame burns in children are less frequent and these usually occur in the older age group (male adolescents primarily). These injuries usually occur in the home (primarily the kitchen) 1 and are caused by hot liquids, or contact with hot objects (radiators, ovens, hobs or hair straighteners etc). Most of these injuries are attributed to an inability of the child to foresee danger in conjunction with immature motor skills and a momentary lapse in supervision by a parent or carer. A total of 50,000 children are seen in emergency departments and 5,000 to 6,000 are admitted to burn services annually in England and Wales. Minor burns and/or scalds in children are a frequent injury in the first two years of life.

– Confirmed diagnosis of burn wound infection in children is retrospective in most cases

Infected burn