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Are there any prescription treatments for burns?

A burn is damage to body tissue that's caused by heat, sun exposure, chemicals, or electricity. First-degree burns are the least severe type—causing pain and redness, but no blisters. Second-degree burns have blisters along with pain and redness. Third-degree burns cause the most skin damage and often appear white or black and charred with no blisters. You can take care of first- or second-degree burns at home if chemicals, sun exposure, or heat causes them, and if they're no more than three inches wide. Call for emergency help as soon as possible if the burn is large, severe, or caused by electricity.

One prescription product commonly used to treat second and third-degree burns is silver sulfadiazine (brand name Silvadene). This product can kill many types of bacteria that can infect a burn. Doctors also prescribe pain relievers and other antibiotics as needed.

Sources:
The Merck Manual of Medical Information: Home Edition. Merck & Co., 1999.
Micromedex® Healthcare Series. Thomson Micromedex, 2006.
Pharmacotherapy: A Pathophysiologic Approach. Appleton & Lange, 1999.
The Sanford Guide to Antimicrobial Therapy. Antimicrobial Therapy, Inc., 1999.
Drug Facts and Comparisons. Facts & Comparisons, 2006.

This answer prepared 5/9/2001.
This information updated 2/7/2007.