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. Assemble 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 dressing is firmly stuck to the burn, it may be loosened by making dressing wet. Promptly discard the old dressing.
4. Wash your hands with soap and water.
5. Clean the burn area with soap and a soft washcloth, making contact with open wound with washing. . Remove all loose skin and old ointment. Rinse completely. It is okay to shower or bathe normally unless you have been instructed otherwise.
6. Apply a small amount of antibiotic ointment on adaptic gauze and massage into gauze. Place the adaptic over the open burn wound as demonstrated by your nurses and doctors before leaving the hospital.
7. Once all of open burn wound is covered with adpatic, cover with dry gauze or wrap securely body part with kerlix as instructed. Apply tape.

Note:

• Consider giving pain medication 30 minutes prior to the dressing change.
• The area that was burned should appear pink and may bleed slightly after cleaning.
• Call your physician if there is a fever greater than 101.
• Provide your child with emotional comfort measures after the dressing change. Depending on the child's age, a light cover, holding, patting or soothing talk may help to ease the discomfort. Age appropriate distraction can also help.
• If the dressing falls off or the area becomes soiled before the next dressing change, repeat the dressing steps and apply a new dressing.
• More supplies can be obtained from your local drugstore if needed.

Activity After a Burn

In general, your child can resume all normal activities, unless otherwise directed by your child's doctor. 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 instruct you on the dosage and type of medicine to be given. 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 greater than 101.
• Your child has green or foul-smelling drainage from the wound.
• Redness of the skin around the burn extends past the edges of the burn.
• Your child has discoloration, coldness or swelling of the arm or leg.
• Your child is not eating or drinking in usual amounts.