[Treatment of burns in general practice]

Smaller burns for which wound management is uncomplicated are mostly treated by general practitioners. However, general practitioners working in locations far from a hospital need skills in primary assessment and management of larger burns as well. For burns with limited depth and surface area it is recommended to choose a polyurethane dressing when the wound is exudative. As the wound dries up, a hydrocolloid dressing is preferable. Close follow up is important. A limited infection should be treated with silver sulfadiazine or a silver dressing. Hospital admittance is required for patients with deep wounds in the face, on the hands or in the genital area, high voltage burns and inhalation injuries, and of children below the age of two.