From the Guidelines
To manage a friction burn from a dog leash in primary care, cooling the burn with running water is the first established and beneficial intervention with little risk of harm, as suggested by the 2024 American Heart Association and American Red Cross guidelines for first aid 1. When managing a friction burn, it is essential to prioritize interventions that reduce the risk of further injury and promote healing.
- Cooling the burn with running water is a crucial step, as it has been shown to decrease the need for subsequent care in patients with thermal burns 1.
- After cooling, the burn can be managed with over-the-counter pain medications for pain relief, as recommended by the guidelines 1.
- For small partial-thickness burns, applying petrolatum, petrolatum-based antibiotic ointment, honey, or aloe vera and a clean nonadherent dressing to open burn wounds may be reasonable 1.
- It is also reasonable to loosely cover a burn that has intact skin or an intact blister with a clean cloth or nonadherent dry dressing while awaiting evaluation by a health care professional 1. Key considerations in managing friction burns include:
- Preventing infection by keeping the wound clean and dry
- Promoting a moist environment to facilitate healing
- Monitoring for signs of infection, such as increased redness, warmth, swelling, pus, or red streaks extending from the wound
- Seeking medical attention if the burn is severe, shows signs of infection, or doesn't improve within a few days.
From the FDA Drug Label
Uses first aid to help prevent infection and for the temporary relief of pain or discomfort in minor: cuts scrapes burns Directions adults and children 2 years of age and older: clean the affected area apply a small amount of this product (an amount equal to the surface area of the tip of a finger) on the area 1 to 3 times daily may be covered with a sterile bandage children under 2 years of age: ask a doctor
To manage a friction burn from a dog leash in primary care, clean the affected area and apply a topical antibiotic ointment such as bacitracin (2) (2).
- Apply a small amount of the product to the affected area 1 to 3 times daily.
- The area may be covered with a sterile bandage.
- For children under 2 years of age, consult a doctor before applying any treatment.
From the Research
Management of Friction Burn from Dog Leash in Primary Care
- The management of friction burns, such as those caused by a dog leash, involves preventing infection and promoting wound healing.
- Topical antimicrobial agents are key to preventing infection and mortality in burn patients 3, 4, 5.
- Silver-containing dressings are often recommended over antiseptics or antibiotics, regardless of the depth of the burn 5.
- Silver sulfadiazine is a commonly recommended topical antimicrobial agent, particularly in low-resource settings 5.
- Other topical agents, such as bacitracin, may also be effective, but the incidence of allergy to these agents is increasing 6.
- The choice of topical treatment may depend on the clinical scenario, burn-wound depth, and burn severity 5.
- In outpatient burns, petrolatum fine-mesh gauze (FMG) may be an optimal method for care, considering cost, frequency of dressing changes, and patient comfort 7.
Prevention of Infection
- Topical antimicrobial agents can help prevent infection in burn wounds 3, 4, 5.
- The development of topical antimicrobial resistance is a concern and requires further study 4.
- International guidelines recommend the use of topical antimicrobials to prevent infection, but there is no ideal agent for all clinical scenarios 5.
Wound Care
- Early excision and grafting of the burn wound can decrease the importance of topical antimicrobial care, but this may not be possible in all cases 3.
- Topical antimicrobial care remains important, particularly in cases where early excision and grafting are not possible 3.
- The use of topical antimicrobial agents can help promote wound healing and prevent infection 3, 4, 5.