Topical agents in burn and wound care.

With any open wound infection may occur. Many factors such as age and general health status may increase the likelihood of infection, but the size and depth of the wound are critical factors in determining the chronicity of any wound. Infection greatly adds to the morbidity associated with open wounds. An infected wound not only heals more slowly, there is also the risk of systemic infection and even death. Infected wounds also scar more severely and are associated with more prolonged rehabilitation. Topical therapeutic agents have been shown to be effective in the management of open skin wounds. These agents may assist less complicated healing and decrease the conversion of a partial-thickness injury to a full-thickness injury, and thereby reduce wound-related morbidity. Common topical agents with suggestions for application are discussed in this review.