Antibiotics for burns are prescribed to accelerate the recovery process and prevent complications. The action of such drugs is aimed at the prevention of infectious lesions on the surface of wounds. This allows you to exclude inflammatory processes, as well as accelerate tissue regeneration, preventing the appearance of scars and scars.
Indications for use
In what cases are antibiotics prescribed for burns?
A mandatory point in the treatment of second-degree burns is the use of various ointments and solutions. Antibacterial agents for local use are prescribed for the treatment of deep skin lesions, the coverage area of which is at least 10% of the body.
In addition, antibiotic drugs are recommended in the following situations:
- Injury due to electric shock.
- Thermal burns, including steam, hot objects, oil and boiling water.
- Burns received under the influence of various chemical compounds. These can be alkalis, acids, iodine, mustard plasters, etc.
In addition, antibacterial drugs are always prescribed when open wounds and blisters appear. This helps to stop the development of a bacterial infection, as well as eliminate the emerging inflammatory process.
When can not ointments be used?
Antibacterial ointments are not used in cases where the burn is assessed as the first degree and the integrity of the skin is not broken. The appointment of antibiotics for bacterial burns should be done by a doctor who relies on the results of a patient examination. In this case, the specialist takes into account such moments as the area and depth of the injuries, the stage and degree of burns, the presence of complications, the age and health indicators of the patient, the presence of allergies and increased sensitivity of the skin.
The use of antibacterial drugs can inhibit the development of infectious processes that occur with extensive and deep damage to the skin. Taking antibiotics for burns helps eliminate inflammation, which allows you to speed up the regeneration process.
Local preparations
The specialist will help you choose the best antibiotic-based product, depending on the vastness and depth of skin lesions. There are various options for medicines to treat burn injuries, including ointments, dressings, tablets, etc.
Consider the most popular sprays and ointments with an antibiotic for burns.
Thermal burns are best treated with aerosols, creams, ointments, which have anesthetic and antimicrobial effects. The most commonly used drugs are:
- Ointments, the main component of which is silver sulfadiazine - Silvederm, Dermazin, etc.
- Creams with antibacterial effect - “Cloromikol”, “Levomekol”. These funds help cleanse wounds from pus and accelerate the regeneration process.
- "Olazol" in the form of an aerosol, "Levosin" in the form of an ointment. In addition to antibacterial substances, the composition includes painkillers, which is very important in the treatment of deep and extensive skin lesions.
- The most affordable and effective antibiotics for treating burns are Tetracycline and Levomycetin. These drugs are also produced in the form of an ointment. Antibiotics have a wide spectrum of antibacterial activity in relation to most pathogenic microorganisms. Most drugs prescribed for burns are based on chloramphenicol or tetracycline.
- To stop the infection at the initial stage, ointments such as Streptonitol, Dioxidin, and Gentamicin Ointment are used.
In some cases, only local treatment of the affected skin is not enough, so other antibacterial treatment options are prescribed.
What other antibiotic burns are treated?
Oral preparations
To enhance the action of local drugs, the doctor may decide on the administration of oral medications. Against the background of the defeat of the epidermis by third or fourth degree burns, an increase in body temperature occurs, nausea and vomiting occur, weakening of the body's immune properties and a decrease in resistance to various infections. All these factors lead to longer healing of wounds. Taking antibiotics orally supports the body in a condition capable of resisting pathogenic microflora.
What antibiotic for a burn to choose, the doctor will tell you.
For the treatment of burns, the following antibacterial drugs are most often prescribed:
- "Tseklor" and "Cefazolin." These drugs have a low level of toxicity. They have a minimal list of contraindications and can be prescribed for the treatment of burns covering no more than 15% of the body.
- For the prevention of infectious lesions, penicillin-based drugs are prescribed. "Bicillin" effectively relieves inflammation, redness, swelling, pain and removes exudate.
- To stimulate the regeneration processes, the patient is shown taking Ampicillin and Amoxicillin. These antibiotics for burns with boiling water are effective.
- If burns are assessed as a third degree of severity, cefixime and ceftriaxone are prescribed.
- For the prevention of complications, as well as the development of a bacterial infection, Fluconazole, Nystatin and Metronidazole can be used.
Risk group
Treatment of burns should be prescribed by a specialist, since the independent use of antibacterial drugs can provoke complications and delay recovery. In a special risk group are elderly patients, children, women during gestation and breastfeeding.
It should be borne in mind that oral administration of antibiotics after burns from the third degree is prescribed. On the first and second - taking medications inside is inappropriate.
Burn dressings
The pharmaceutical market also offers dressings soaked in painkillers and antibacterial ointments and solutions. Applications help prevent scarring and speed up the healing process . Most often, doctors prescribe the following antibacterial dressings:
- Branolind. The composition includes Peruvian balm, which has a powerful antibacterial effect. A dressing is often used to treat thermal household burns.
- "Voskospan" with left-ointment ointment. The drug is made on the basis of beeswax, which ensures quick healing and excretion.
- "Activetex" is a dressing with a powerful antiseptic and analgesic effect. One dressing remains effective for three days. The bandage helps prevent burn complications.
Treatment of infectious lesions with antiseptic dressings is not performed. Their action is aimed at protecting the wound from infection. Dressings can cause an allergic reaction, and also have a number of contraindications, so use them with caution.
Special recommendations
Antibiotic burn treatment minimizes the risk of complications. Preparations based on antibacterial substances are potent, therefore, have a number of contraindications for use. In addition, against the background of the use of antibiotics, adverse reactions and an overdose are not ruled out.
To prevent complications, in the treatment of burns, a number of recommendations must be followed:
- You can not start taking antibiotics for first-degree burns. If the integrity of the skin has not been compromised, there are no open wounds and blisters; conventional preparations for local use are sufficient for treatment. The best option is the Panthenol aerosol.
- Refuse the use of oils and creams on a fat basis for the treatment of affected areas of the skin.
- Do not squeeze the contents of the blisters and do not open the formation in unsanitary conditions.
- You can not give a child under three years old antibacterial drugs, unless this is prescribed by the therapeutic regimen prescribed by the doctor.
Prevention of Complications
The inclusion of antibacterial drugs in the treatment regimen for burns can significantly alleviate the patient's condition and relieve the severity of symptoms. In addition, such treatment is the prevention of complications. The appointment of antibiotics is carried out strictly by agreement with the doctor after the examination.
Reviews
Reviews about the treatment of burns with antibiotics are different. Experts believe this is an effective way to prevent infections and speed up the healing process, especially when it comes to extensive and serious injuries. Doctors warn against independent use of antibacterial drugs, even intended for local use.
Patients also respond positively to antibiotics for burns. Many help the simplest and most common options, such as the tetracycline and chloramphenicol mentioned. Others require a combination of several antibiotics or the use of more potent drugs.
The situation is worse with the treatment of advanced and severe cases when skin lesions are too extensive. In this condition, antibiotics can be dangerous to the life and health of the patient.