Emergency
Burns
Wash with tap water, apply topical silver sulphadiazine, give NSAIDs and, if needed, oral or IV antibiotics. Refer to a consultant for larger, deep or acid burns.
- ICD-10
- —
- Source
- OPD handbook pp.159–160
- Status
- Draft
Not yet reviewed by a clinician. Check doses and brands against current national guidelines before use.
Symptoms
- Burn injury
Red flags Refer urgently if any are present
- More than 4.5% of body area involved (as written in the book)
- Deep burns
- Acid burn
Diagnosis
- Assess the area and depth of the burn
Treatment
Step 1 of 5
1. Wash with tap water
- Wash the burn with tap water
Step 2 of 5
2. Topical antibiotic
- Quinch cream (silver sulphadiazine); apply on the burnt area (Urdu: noon and evening)
Prescription
Silver sulphadiazine creamTopical antibacterial (burns)
DoseApply on the burnt area, afternoon and evening
Brand Quinch cream
Step 3 of 5
3. NSAIDs / analgesia
- Xyloaid ointment (soothing effect) mixed with Quinch
- Syp Tercica / Brufen for children
Prescription
Lidocaine (xylocaine) ointmentTopical local anaesthetic
DoseMix with Quinch (soothing effect)
Brand Xyloaid ointment
IbuprofenNSAID
DosePaediatric
Brand Syp Brufen
Caution: Avoid in dengue (bleeding risk); Avoid in kidney disease, peptic ulcer, late pregnancy; Take with food
Step 4 of 5
4. Oral / IV antibiotics
- Choose according to severity
Prescription
AmoxicillinPenicillin antibiotic
DoseTDS
Brand Amoxil 500 mg
Also sold as Amoxil, Dispermox
Caution: Penicillin allergy
Amoxicillin + Clavulanic acidPenicillin antibiotic + β-lactamase inhibitor
DoseTDS
Brand Augmentin 625 mg
Also sold as Augmentin, Co-Amoxiclave, Calamox
Caution: Penicillin allergy; Cholestatic jaundice risk with prolonged use
Cefixime3rd-generation cephalosporin
DoseOD
Brand Tab Caricef 400 mg
Also sold as Cefspan, Cefim, Caricef, Tixomer, Cefiget
Rising resistance in Salmonella Typhi; not reliable as a sole agent in XDR typhoid.
MoxifloxacinFluoroquinolone antibiotic
DoseOD
Brand Tab Mofest 400 mg
Also sold as Mofest, Moxef, Avelox, Moxiget
Ceftriaxone3rd-generation cephalosporin
Dose1 g BD
Brand Inj Oxidil / Dayline 1 g
Also sold as Rocephin, Dayline, Oxidil
Resistance is widespread in Salmonella Typhi in Sindh and Punjab; use culture guidance.
Step 5 of 5
5. Dressing and referral
- Dressing of the wound
- Refer to a consultant if more than 4.5% of the body area is involved (as written in the book), or deep burns, or acid burn