Cover the Burn

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After cooling, cover the wound with a sterile dressing. Use clean plastic film wrap if no dressings are available Copy

After cooling, cover the wound with a sterile dressing. Use clean plastic film wrap if no dressings are available
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Where the surface is blistered and/or raw, the wound should be covered with a dressing. In the absence of any wound dressings, cover the wound with plastic film wrap or clean cloth to keep the burn wound clean until definitive management can occur.

Plastic film wrap is a suitable dressing for patients being transferred to the Burn Services within 6 hours of injury. Plastic film wrap helps maintain burn wound moisture and helps to protect exposed nerve endings which can assist in multimodal pain management.

Avoid wrapping affected area circumferentially with plastic film wrap as this can have a tourniquet effect as oedema worsens.

The Alfred Hospital gratefully acknowledges the ongoing support and contribution of Skilled Medical in funding this project.  For more information on Skilled Medical, please visit www.skilledmedical.com
Supported by:

Ambulance Victoria The Alfred Victorian Adult Burn Services at The Alfred The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne