[Topical chemotherapy for the treatment of burns]

Abstract

A burn is a tissue lesion which provokes different alterations that vary from topical erythema to total destruction of the structures affected. A burn always produces an alteration in the skin, a lesion in the corneal strata is sufficient to cause the skin to lose its capacity to act as a barrier. The objective the treatment for a burn has is to produce epithelization as soon as possible in order to prevent infection and to reduce functional and esthetic aftereffects. Infection is the main cause of death due to burns due to the growth of endogenous flora or due to external contamination. The use of topical chemotherapy is fundamental to prevent infections when there are deep and superficial burns or extensive intermediary burns. Centella asiatica extract has proven to be efficient in helping, maintaining and regularizing cicatrisation of skin affected by burns. Its usage combined with an antibiotic agent such as neomycin covers the bacterial spectrum for gram-positive or -negative microorganisms, guaranteeing an anti-infectious efficiency for this extract.