Burns Dressings

GENERAL DRESSING GUIDELINES

• the optimal dressing is  prevents wound desiccation and infection and is easy to remove
• nursing staff will carry out definitive burns dressings in almost all instances
• sterile packs soaked in cool saline should be applied to burns as a first-aid measure for 20 minutes only
• when handling burnt areas, an aseptic technique must be used
• debride blisters 
• ensure adequate analgesia

• if parenteral narcotics are required, the patient should be admitted; if the patient is presenting for re-dressing, advise the patient to take paracetamol 30 minutes beforehand.

DRESSING OPTIONS

• Neutral ointments (e.g. paraffin, lanolin or vaseline) to minor facial burns - applied six hourly, or Betadine ointment

see Burns depth assessment

see Hypofix dressings under Handouts