Wound care | 3 min read

Characteristics of an ideal burn dressing

Burn wounds are complex and require specialist, multidisciplinary, and comprehensive care. To secure the best chances of healing, it’s important to consider burn dressing choice. The ideal burn dressing combines concern for supporting undisturbed healing, fostering a positive patient experience and comfort, and positive clinical outcomes with the need to avoid complications that can lead to increased morbidity and mortality.

Burn injuries represent a significant global health concern, with the World Health Organization estimating approximately 11 million cases annually, leading to around 180,000 deaths. Almost half of these incidents occur in Asia, particularly in countries like China and India¹.

Effective management of burn wounds is crucial for preventing complications, such as infections, delayed healing, and excessive scarring. A critical component of effective burn management is the selection of an appropriate burn dressing. An ideal burn dressing should possess specific characteristics to optimise the healing process and support positive patient outcomes².

Ideal burn dressing characteristics

Through The assessment and treatment of burn wounds in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region: Consensus meeting report¹, Nischwitz et al.’s global burn care and ideal burn dressing survey², and the International Society for Burns Injuries (ISBI) Practice Guidelines³, a number of key characteristics have been identified that contribute to a shared understanding of what makes up an ideal burn dressing:

Lack of adhesion/non-adherence to the wound bed

Dressings that adhere to the wound bed can cause trauma upon removal, leading to pain and potential disruption of newly formed tissue. Non-adherent dressings, such as advanced silicone-based dressings, are designed to minimise this, ensuring that the dressing can be changed with less pain and reducing the risk of damaging the healing tissue.

Less pain

Pain management is a critical aspect of burn care. The dressing should be easy to apply and remove without causing additional discomfort. Additionally, minimising the frequency of dressing changes and using non-adherent materials can further alleviate pain.

Fewer dressing changes

Not only do patients experience less pain and discomfort from fewer dressing changes, healthcare providers and systems benefit from dressings that can stay in place longer. This likewise allows HCPs to reclaim valuable time. Fewer dressing changes can also contribute to better outcomes by supporting undisturbed wound healing.

High absorbency/exudate management

Burn wounds produce varying levels of exudate. An ideal dressing should effectively manage exudate by absorbing excess fluid while maintaining a moist wound environment for optimal healing. This balance prevents maceration of surrounding skin and reduces the frequency of dressing changes, minimising disturbance to the wound.

Anti-infective/barrier against infection

Burn wounds are highly susceptible to infections. An ideal dressing should provide a physical barrier against microbial contamination. Some advanced dressings are impregnated with antimicrobial agents, such as silver, to further reduce the risk of infection.

Optimal healing supported by burn dressing choice

Selecting the appropriate burn dressing is a key part of effective burn wound management. An ideal dressing should encompass the characteristics outlined above to promote optimal healing, prevent complications, and enhance patient comfort.

The choice of dressing may vary based on the specificities of the burn injury, including the depth and extent of the wound, the patient's overall health, and the resources available. Healthcare providers should assess each case individually to determine the most suitable dressing, ensuring that it aligns with the principles of effective burn care and contributes to the best possible outcomes for the patient.