Minor Burns: A Review

Two million burns occur annually in the USA, of which 95% aretreated in an out-patient setting. The treatment of burns iscontroversial. There are few data from controlled studies toprovide rational guidelines for the frequency of both dressingchanges and patient visits for the physician. Conclusions concerninginfection drawn from studies on major burns are misleading whenapplied to the management of minor burns. Trauma to regeneratingepithelium caused by frequent dressing change is of relativelyless importance in treating major burns, because the controlof infection is of overriding importance. In the treatment ofminor burns, the traumatic consequences of too frequent changesof dressing may assume greater importance. There is a clearneed to study the variables in the treatment of minor burnsand to generate criteria for their clinical management thatare distinct from those of major burn management. Collaborativestudies of out-patient populations by providers of primary healthcare are suggested as a useful approach to such investigation.The effects of several additional therapies are reviewed, includinginitial cold therapy, debridement of blisters and antibiotics.