Burn Care
Know how to care for your burn to prevent infection. Make sure you:
• Keep the burned area raised above the level of your heart.
• Keep the bandages clean and dry.
• Change the bandages each day. Follow these steps:
1. Wash your hands well with soap and water before touching your burn
or bandages.
2. Remove the old bandages. If the old bandages stick to the burn, soak
them off with warm water.
3. Clean off the old cream or ointment with a washcloth wet with warm
water and a gentle soap or baby shampoo. Try not to break blisters.
4. Wash your hands again.
5. Apply cream or ointment as directed by your doctor:
Apply silver sulfadiazine (Silvadene Cream) in a thin layer about
the thickness of a nickel.
Apply ______________________ antibiotic ointment. Use just
enough ointment to make the burn look shiny.
6. Follow the direction from your doctor:
Do not cover your burn with a bandage.
Use non-stick gauze covered with several layers of dry gauze.
Use non-stick gauze over antibiotic cream or ointment then several
layers of dry gauze.
Other _______________________
For burns on hands or feet, always place a layer of gauze between
fingers or toes.
• Gently exercise the area four times a day by bending the joints 10-20
times. Gentle exercise helps prevent stiffness.
• Drink plenty of liquids, at least 10-12 glasses a day.