The effects of burn blister fluid on keratinocyte replication and differentiation.

The optimal clinical care of burn blisters has not been determined. The effects of burn blister fluid and control serum on epidermal cell proliferation and differentiation were determined. Both burn blister fluid and serum decreased the cell responses necessary for healing of the burn wound by approximately 40%. The degree of suppression varied from 81% to 28% dependency on the specific burn blister fluid and cell tested. These data suggest that reepithelialization may be inhibited beneath burn blisters. We conclude that in most cases burn blisters should be debrided.