Daily Skin Care (Burns)
Home Care Instructions for Patients

Peer Review Status: Internally Peer Reviewed
Creation Date: March 1992
Last Revision Date: March 1999

INSTRUCTIONS:

Bath

• Cleanse bathtub prior to and after your use
• Use a clean towel and washcloth every day
• Wash involved areas with Ivory or Safeguard soap (avoid perfumed soaps as they may cause skin irritation).
• Make sure to wash any build-up from involved areas as excess build-up may result in breakdown of good skin.

Signs of Infection

• Observe for signs of infection which are 1) swelling, 2) redness, 3) odor, 4) green/yellow drainage, 5) fever, 6) warmness at site of swelling/redness. If these signs are noted, please contact the Burn Unit right away.

Donor

• Examine involved areas for the formation of blisters.
  1) Open the blisters and allow them to drain.
  2) Apply Mycitracin ointment till healed.

Itiching

• Itching can be a problem. We recommend Benadryl, which can be purchased at any drug store. Take as directed on package.
• It is important to keep all healed areas well lubricated with a lotion. This includes grafted healed burns and donor site areas.
• The lotion will prevent breakdown of skin and will also relieve itching that is caused by dry skin.
• We recommend a nonperfumed, hypoallergenic lotion, such as Lubriderm.

Exposure to Sun/Cold

• Avoid exposure to extreme hot or cold temperatures (this includes exposure to sun).
• It will be necessary to use a sun-screen when out in the sun, as well as wearing protective clothing, i.e., long-sleeved shirt, cap, and pants.
• A sunblock of #15 or greater is recommended; reapply after swimming.
• Involved areas are more susceptible to frostbite, so wear layered clothing in winter.
• Avoid trauma to involved areas as this skin is very delicate and fragile.

DIET:

• Nutrition: If you are diabetic, resume your usual diabetic diet.
  Eat a well-balanced diet, three meals a day--high in protein and calories, with at least one good source of Vitamin C a day.

IF THE FOLLOWING OCCURS:

1. Persistent temperature over 38.0° C or 100° F.
2. Signs of infection at incision, graft or donor site.
3. Sudden onset of severe, unusual pain, nausea, vomiting.
4. Bleeding from incision or graft.

CONTACT:

The Burn Treatment Center
University of Iowa
(319) 356-3218
DAY OR NIGHT

See related Patient Textbooks about Surgery.

See related Patient Topics Burn Center, Burns, Injuries and Wounds, Procedures and Therapies or Surgery.

See related Provider Textbooks about Surgery.

See related Provider Topics Burns, Injuries and Wounds, Procedures and Therapies or Surgery.

All contents copyright © 1992-2004 the Author(s) and The University of Iowa. All rights reserved.

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