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Old June 6th 04, 02:49 PM
Snowbird
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Dave S wrote in message link.net...
Silvadene is used in the professional management of major burns. Its
primary effect is that of an antibacterial - the silver content inhibits
bacterial growth on the infection prone burn surface. In the uses I have
used it for (by the pint) it doesnt do a whole lot to sooth, or cool, or
relieve pain (which on 3rd degree's are painless) but it does a fair
enough job for trying to inhibit bacterial growth on eschar (3rd degree
burnt skin) and deep partial thickness wounds (2nd degree).


I too have used Silvadene (as patient and as HCP) and perhaps it's just
me, but I'd kind of rather not see it go into general use for every cut
and scratch. I'm concerned that, as has happened to so many antibacterials
and antibiotics, if it's too common the bugs will develop resistance.

Fortunately, at least when I was using it, it was quite expensive.

I must say I've never heard of Kips burn salve. It is before my time. Im
sure it works great, Jim and others, but a long time ago "salves" fell
out of disfavor for burn management and as a result the product in all
likelyhood simply ceased to exist.


Dave, while "salves" fell out of favor for initial burn management
(I can remember my grandmother trying to put butter on my burn and
me fighting to numb it with cold water), "moist wound healing" is
to be the very latest thing for both burns and other cuts and scrapes,
after the initial treatment.

One method is to apply a hydrocolloid film, the other is to apply,
basically, a salve which will form an air-excluding film.

See for example
http://www.robinsoncare.com/MoistWoundHealing.htm

But of course, for that purpose, many salves will do including
generic antibiotic ointment, lansinoh, etc etc

Cheers,
Sydney