Wound Care - Burns

• Different Methods of Wound Care

  Open method - After application of the topical antibiotic, the area is left exposed; applicable in extensive body burns
• Different Methods of Wound Care

  Semi-open method - The wound is covered with thin layer of sterile gauze after application of topical antibiotic
• Different Methods of Wound Care

  Closed method - The wound is covered with thick layer of sterile gauze or with occlusive dressings after application of topical antibiotic
• Burn Wound Care

  Hydrotherapy - done to remove debris, improve circulation, relieve pain, promote healing, improve muscle tone, and prevent contractures
• Burn Wound Care

  Hydrotherapy - Administer analgesic 15 to 30 minutes before hydrotherapy to promote comfort
• Burn Wound Care

  Debridement to remove necrotic tissues from the area of burns; may be surgical or mechanical
• Burn Wound Care

  Debridement - Mechanical debridement is done by wet-to-dry dressings
• Burn Wound Care

  Skin grafting to improve appearance of affected area
• Types of Skin Graft

  Isograft or syngeneic graft - The donor site comes from an identical twin
• Types of Skin Graft

  Autograft - The donor site comes from the self
• Types of Skin Graft

  Homograft or allograft - The donor site comes from another human being
• Types of Skin Graft

  Heterograft or xenograft - The donor site comes from an animal, e.g. pigskin
• Care of the Graft Site

  Elevate and Immobilize the graft site
• Care of the Graft Site

  Keep site free from pressure
• Care of the Graft Site

  AVOID weight-bearing activities
• Care of the Graft Site

  Monitor the graft site for signs and symptoms of infection like foul - smelling drainage, fever, elevated wbc, hematoma, or edema in the area
• Care of the Graft Site

  Instruct to: Lubricate healing skin with cocoa butter lotion
• Care of the Graft Site

  Instruct to: Protect affected area from sunlight