Will a second-degree (2nd) burn with blisters on the left side of the trunk, covering 10% of the total body surface area, heal fully?

From the Guidelines

Yes, a second-degree burn with blisters covering 10% of the left side trunk area will typically heal fully with proper care.

Treatment Recommendations

• Keep the burn clean and covered with sterile, non-stick dressings, such as Mepitel or Telfa, as recommended by 1.
• Change dressings daily or as directed by a healthcare provider.
• Apply a greasy emollient, such as 50% white soft paraffin with 50% liquid paraffin, over the whole epidermis, including denuded areas, and consider using aerosolized formulations to minimize shearing forces associated with topical applications, as suggested by 1.
• Apply a topical antimicrobial agent to sloughy areas only, with the choice of topical antibiotic guided by local microbiological advice, and consider silver-containing products/dressings, as recommended by 1.
• Take over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, as needed, as supported by 1.
• Do not pop blisters; allow them to heal naturally, and consider decompressing blisters by piercing and expression or aspiration of tissue fluid, as recommended by 1. Healing time is usually 2-3 weeks. Seek immediate medical attention if signs of infection develop (increased pain, redness, swelling, or fever).

Additional Considerations

Second-degree burns affect the epidermis and part of the dermis. With proper care, the skin can regenerate these layers fully. However, some minor scarring or pigmentation changes may occur. Keeping the area moisturized and protected from sun exposure during healing can help minimize these effects. According to 1, patients with second- or third-degree burns involving >10% body surface area should be treated in a specialized burn center, but in this case, since the burn is limited to 10% of the body surface area and does not involve critical areas such as the face, hands, feet, or genitals, treatment can be managed in a non-specialized setting with proper care and monitoring. Nutritional support is also crucial in burn patients, as they have increased metabolic needs, and early enteral nutrition can help improve wound healing and reduce complications, as discussed in 1. However, the specific nutritional recommendations for this patient are not provided in the given evidence.

From the FDA Drug Label

Silver sulfadiazine cream, USP 1% is a topical antimicrobial drug indicated as an adjunct for the prevention and treatment of wound sepsis in patients with second and third degree burns. Treatment with silver sulfadiazine cream, USP 1% should be continued until satisfactory healing has occurred or until the burn site is ready for grafting.

The answer to whether a second-degree burn with blisters on the left side of the trunk, covering 10% of the total body surface area, will heal fully cannot be directly determined from the provided drug labels, as they do not explicitly state the outcome of treatment for this specific type of burn. However, the labels do indicate that silver sulfadiazine cream is used for the treatment of second-degree burns and that treatment should be continued until satisfactory healing has occurred.

• The healing process may vary depending on individual patient factors and the effectiveness of the treatment regimen.
• It is essential to follow the recommended treatment protocol and continue treatment until satisfactory healing has occurred or until the burn site is ready for grafting, as stated in the drug label 2 and 2.

From the Research

Burn Healing and Treatment

• A second-degree burn with blisters on the left side of the trunk, covering 10% of the total body surface area, can potentially heal fully with proper treatment 3, 4, 5.
• Studies have shown that various treatments, such as fundermol ointment 3, ReCell® autologous cell regeneration techniques 4, and Great Plantain (Plantago major L.) extract 5, can accelerate burn wound healing and improve outcomes.
• It is essential to note that the healing time and outcome may depend on the treatment method, wound size, and individual patient factors 3, 4, 5.

Wound Care and Management

• Proper wound care, including cooling the burn with cool running tap water, removal of blisters, and use of topical antimicrobial dressings, is crucial for preventing infection and promoting healing 6.
• The use of prophylactic antibiotics is not recommended for patients with acute burns, as good wound care and topical antimicrobial dressings can help prevent infection 6.
• Pain management is also an important aspect of burn care, and a standardized approach with an incremental pharmacological approach should be followed 6.

Treatment Options

• Fundermol ointment has been shown to accelerate burn wound healing compared to 1% silver sulfadiazine cream 3.
• ReCell® autologous cell regeneration techniques combined with limited debridement can be an effective treatment for deep second-degree burns 4.
• Great Plantain (Plantago major L.) extract has been found to be a safe and suitable herbal compound for the treatment of second-degree burn wounds, with wound-healing, analgesic, and antimicrobial properties 5.
• Pure silk has been evaluated as a potential treatment for large superficial burn wounds, offering a cost-effective and satisfactory aesthetic outcome 7.