a. Advantages.

Silver sulfadiazine is most effective when it is applied to burns immediately after the thermal injury.

A broad antimicrobial agent that can penetrate a eschar, silver sulfadiazine is pain-free and clear so that the burn area remains visible. (The eschar is the dead skin caused by the burn.)

An occlusive dressing is not required when this medication has been applied. The treatment is compatible with treatments for other injuries and the medication does not impede motion of the joints.

b. Disadvantages.

• The medication does NOT penetrate through dead skin that resulted from the burn.
• This may cause a delay in epithelialization (the final stage of healing of a surface burn).
• Bone marrow is suppressed.
• Some people experience hypersensitivity reactions.
• Eschar (scab) separation is delayed.
• Certain gram-negative organisms are resistant to this medication.
• The medication causes tattooing of the skin, so it should not be used on the face or other areas that may be cosmetically important.