How is a full thickness burn treated?

Full thickness burns should be treated to prevent infection and disfigurement. Smaller wounds should be treated with silvadene cream changed daily. Any evidence of dead tissue should be debrided and eschar removed (escharotomy). Full thickness burns of the chest may require fasciotomies to allow expansion of the lungs. After the wound is clean from dressing changes and antibiotic creams, reconstruction may be performed with either skin grafts or flaps. The medical treatment of large third degree burns often requires transfer of the patient to a burn unit. Examination of the airway is essential for smoke inhalation; intravenous fluid hydration is required with large IVs, and intravenous antibiotics given.