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Common Burn Treatment

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If you see any signs of infection or have any other questions or concerns, please call the burn unit at (816) 234-3520.

Mepilex® Ag/ALLEVYN Ag 
  

  1. Wash your hands before you start the dressing change.

  2. Set up the dressing change supplies before you take off your child’s dressing. Here are some items that may have been sent home with you:

    • A gray dressing called Mepilex Ag or a bordered bandage called ALLEVYN Ag.

  3. Take off the old dressings. 

  4. Gently clean your child’s burn with mild soap and water.

  5. Rinse the area with lukewarm water.

  6. Pat the area dry with a clean cloth.

  7. Place the new dressing on the area of your child’s skin that is burned. Be sure to take off the clear backing and place the sticky side directly on the burn.

    • If using ALLEVYN Ag, press down on the outer edges of the dressing to help it stay in place.

    • If using Mepilex Ag, put Hypafix® tape along the edges of the dressing to help it stay in place.

  8. If using outer bandages, you may have been given a soft sock- like bandage or an ace bandage that helps to hold the dressing in place. If using ace bandage, always start from the edge of the burned area and wrap inward towards the center of your body. This helps the dressing not get too tight.

Mepitel® Ag

  1. Wash your hands before you start the dressing change.

  2. Set up the dressing change supplies that your medical team sent home with you.

    • The brown dressing is called Mepitel Ag. This dressing has small holes so the burned area can drain.  The Mepitel Ag dressing can stay on for up to seven days. You will only need to change it if the dressing becomes wet or soiled.

  3. Take off the outer dressing. You can upwrap it or you can trim it away with scissors.

  4. If new Mepitel Ag is needed, first remove the wet or soiled Mepitel Ag, then take the new Mepitel Ag dressing and remove the film from both sides. Place the dressing on the area of your child’s skin that is burned. Next, put the wound veil on top of the Mepitel Ag to keep it from sticking to outer dressings. 

  5. Put on new outer dressings.
    • Outer dressings can be a cotton gauze roll or 4x 4 cloth.

    • If you are using gauze from a roll, always start from the edge of the burned area and wrap inward towards the center of your body. This helps the dressing not get too tight.

  6. Then hold the outer dressing in place with an ACE™ bandage or Coban™ wrap. Make sure that the bandage is not wrapped too tight by placing your 5th finger or pinky finger underneath the bandage.

Antibiotic ointment

  1. Wash your hands before you start the dressing change. 
  2. Set up the dressing change supplies before you take off your child’s dressing.

  3. Take off your child’s dressings. You can unwrap it or trim it away with scissors. You can also use water to help soften the dressing to help it come off easier.

  4. Gently clean your child’s burned skin with mild soap and water. Make sure to carefully wash off any dried drainage.

  5. Rinse the area with warm water.

  6. Pat the area dry with a clean, dry cloth.

Next you will put on a new antibiotic dressing:

  1. First, put antibiotic ointment on the burned area.

  2. Then put on a layer of the yellow gauze.

  3. Next, put the nonstick pad on top.

  4. Last, use a cotton gauze roll and an ace bandage or soft sock-like bandage to help the dressing stay in place.

Antibiotic ointment and collagenase

  1. Wash your hands before you start the dressing change.

  2. Set up the dressing change supplies before taking off your child’s dressing.

  3. Take off your child’s dressing. You can unwrap it or trim it away with scissors. You can also use water to help soften the dressing to help it come off easier.

  4. Gently clean your child’s burned skin with mild soap and water. Make sure to carefully wash off any dried drainage.

  5. Rinse the area with warm water.

  6. Pat the area dry with a clean, dry cloth.

Next you will put on a new antibiotic and collagenase dressing:

  1. First, put collagenase on the white area of the burn.

  2. Then cover the all of the burned area with clear gauze.

  3. Next, put antibiotic ointment on top of the clear gauze.

  4. Put the white nonstick pad on top of the clear gauze.

  5. Last, use a cotton gauze roll followed by an ACE™ bandage or a soft sock-like bandage to help the dressing stay in place.

If you are using gauze from a roll, always start from the edge of the burned area and wrap inward towards the center of your body. This helps the dressing not get too tight.