How to Treat Necrotic Skin From a Thermal Burn

Necrosis is the medical definition for dead tissue. Necrotic skin is dead tissue that has been destroyed by burns. Other common causes of necrosis include infection, toxins such as an insect bite, cutting and crushing injuries, and cancer. In some cases, necrotic skin is the result of an infarction, which is a blocked blood vessel that prevents the flow of blood to body tissues. Bacterial infections are another common cause of necrosis. Depending on the severity, treatment of necrotic skin due to thermal burns (heat or fire) usually requires a physician's care and advice, although there are home remedies that can be followed once a doctor has provided initial treatment for the burn.

Things You'll Need

• Gauze bandages
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Over-the-counter pain relief medicine
• Antibiotic ointment

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Instructions

• 1

  Take prescribed antibiotics to treat bacterial infection and speed the healing process.

• 2

  Follow the doctor's instructions for cleaning and dressing the wound after debridement, which is the surgical removal of necrotic skin from a burn injury. Debridement is the medical removal of dead tissue so the surrounding healthy tissue can begin to heal.

• 3

  Avoid letting dirt or any other contaminants come in contact with the healing area around the burn to reduce the risk of further infection.

• 4

  Clean the burn area with hydrogen peroxide or a similar debriding enzyme, according to the doctor's instructions and prescribed cleaning schedule.

• 5

  Use antibiotic ointment on small burns or blisters to assist healing.

• 6

  Take over-the-counter pain medication as prescribed to manage pain associated with relatively minor burns.

• 7

  Contact a physician immediately if the burn wound changes color, becomes inflamed or puffy, or shows clear signs of infection, including white or yellow fluid discharge or an unpleasant odor.