Health Library

Burn Dressing Changes

What Supplies Are Needed to Change a Burn Dressing?

• Kerlix or gauze wrap
• Adaptic gauze
• Clean basin or tub
• Paper tape
• Antibacterial soap
• Antibiotic ointment

What Are the Steps to Changing the Burn Dressing?

Wash the burned area once a day. After bathing, apply a clean dressing as described below.

1. Wash your hands and work space with soap and water.
2. Gather all supplies and place them within reach of your work space.
3. Carefully remove the old dressing, allowing any loose skin and drainage to pull away from the burn. If the dressing is firmly stuck to the burn, it may be loosened by making dressing wet. Throw away the old dressing.
4. Wash your hands again with soap and water.
5. Clean the burn area with soap and a soft washcloth. Remove all loose skin and old ointment. Rinse the area completely. It is okay to shower or bathe normally unless you have been instructed otherwise.
6. Put a small amount of antibiotic ointment on adaptic gauze and massage it into the gauze. Put the gauze over the open burn wound the same way your nurses and doctors showed you before leaving the hospital.
7. Once the open burn wound is covered with adaptic gauze, cover the area with dry gauze or wrap the body part with kerlix as instructed. Apply tape.

Note:

• Call your child’s doctor if your child has a fever over 101°F.
• Consider giving your child pain medication 30 minutes before the dressing change to help get ahead of any pain.
• The area that was burned should look pink and may bleed slightly after cleaning.
• Comfort your child after the dressing change. Depending on the child's age, a light cover, holding, patting or soothing talk may help them feel better. Age-appropriate distractions can also help.
• If the dressing falls off or the area becomes dirty before the next dressing change, repeat the dressing steps and apply a new dressing.
• More supplies can be bought at your local drugstore if needed.

Activity After a Burn

In general, your child can go back to their normal activities, unless your child's doctor says not to. Encourage normal movement of the burned body part.

Nutrition

Encourage your child to drink plenty of fluids and to eat a high-calorie, high-protein diet. Skin tissue needs lots of calories to heal.

Medication/ Pain

Pain medication may be given for discomfort. Your child's doctor will tell you the dosage and type of medicine to give. Give medication at least 30 minutes before changing the dressing.

When Should I Call My Child's Doctor?

Call your child’s doctor if your child:

• Has a fever over 101°F.
• Has green or foul-smelling drainage from the wound.
• Has skin that is red past the edges of the burn.
• Has discoloration, coldness or swelling of the arm or leg.
• Is not eating or drinking in usual amounts.