Silver Sulfadiazine: A Topical Medicine Moms Should Know

The topical antibacterial silver sulfadiazine not only prevents infection, but also helps minor to moderate skin injuries heal quickly.

You might not ever have to do first aid on a burn, but chances are your child will receive a significant abrasion. After first aid for an injury in which a considerable amount of the top layer of skin (epidermis) is removed, your best bet would be to go to a doctor. Sure, you can take care of a boo-boo, but preventing infection is imperative and the best way to do this is for skin to heal quickly, protecting the body from foreign agents that may cause irritation or infection which may eventually result in loss of a limb.

A week ago I sustained a second degree burn while cleaning the kitchen, a pot on a cool burner still full of cooling oil. My husband and dog came into the kitchen, putting three people in a very small kitchen. The pot sloshed oil on my hand and spattered on my dog and husband. Proper first aid was performed and we all appeared to have first degree burns since the only injury was superficial. Days later, my reddened skin tore from my hand, exposing the dermis which I could then tell had been burned and blistered as well. My dog had developed hard blisters, but he and my husband still lost no skin. I went to a Doctor's care and my wound was cleaned and all excess skin and possible infections were scraped off. I left bandaged and with a prescription for silver sulfadiazine.

Today is Monday and my wound is completely healed, minus the pink coloration that will last for a year or so. On Friday, my dog gave into his itching blisters and upon awaking, we found him, two large gashes in his side where he completely tore off his own skin. Since we had to wait until today to get him to the vet, I looked up silver sulfadiazine on reputable animal first aid sites and determined it was safe to use on the dog. Holding him down and cleaning the tissue and then applying cream and bandages was not an easy task for lab owners, even if he is only fifty pounds. By Sunday, I was convinced that he had made significant progress. All of his skin had grown back. Even though scabs are disgusting, they are nature's bandaid. For the skin on such a considerable surface area to scab in only two days is amazing. The vet saw him today and recommended I continue doing exactly what I have been doing, plus give him antibiotics to further prevent infection.

It is very common for infection to set in within hours of a burn or abrasion, it is not so common for skin to heal as quickly as it did for me and my dog with other topical antibiotic ointments such as Neosporin. I recommend that after your next boo-boo, head straight for the doctor. The silver sulfadiazine alone will be worth your visit.

This article is not intended for medical reference. As always, consult a professional in the event of an emergency.