What does silver do for burns?
Silver sulfadiazine cream is used to prevent and treat wound infections in patients with second- and third-degree burns. Patients with severe burns or burns over a large area of the body must be treated in a hospital. Silver sulfadiazine is an antibiotic. It works by killing the bacteria or preventing its growth.
Does Silvadene help heal burns?
Silvadene is applied to unhealed burn wounds to protect the burn from becoming infected. It also provides a moist environment while the burn heals. The doctor will write a prescription for Silvadene cream either in the hospital or in the burn clinic. The prescription can be filled in any drug store.
How often should a silver dressing be changed?
Silver dressings should only be prescribed as acute prescriptions and not added to a repeat prescription. A prescription for 5 dressings should be sufficient for the recommended maximum of 2 weeks treatment, allowing changing of dressings every 3 days.
How long should silver dressings be used for?
It is recommended that silver dressings are used for 2 weeks in the first instance to assess effectiveness for the patient and wound. After 2 weeks, reassess the wound. If there are still signs of infection, continue and reassess every 2 weeks, documenting outcome and decision to continue.
How long should you use silver sulfadiazine on a burn?
To help clear up your skin or burn infection completely, keep using this medicine for the full time of treatment. You should keep using this medicine until the burned area has healed or is ready for skin grafting.
Can you put Silvadene on an open wound?
This medication is used with other treatments to help prevent and treat wound infections in patients with serious burns. Silver sulfadiazine works by stopping the growth of bacteria that may infect an open wound.
Can you use too much silver sulfadiazine?
An overdose of silver sulfadiazine topical is not expected to be dangerous. Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222 if anyone has accidentally swallowed the medication. Do not take by mouth. Silver sulfadiazine topical is for use only on the skin.
How long can you use silver on a wound?
In consensus with experts, it is recommended to use silver dressings for 2 weeks at the first occurrence of infection. Clinicians should then reassess the wound every 2 weeks until it is healed and should change the treatment plan as appropriate according to the patient’s response to the silver dressing.