Hydrogel in wound dressing and burn dressing products with antibacterial potential

Infections in wounds and the development of sepsis pose significant risks for patients with burn injuries as thermal injury suppresses the immune system and makes the patients susceptible to life-threatening conditions. The most advanced wound treatment nowadays is the controlled delivery and the release of active substances into the burn sites. Hydrogels are, therefore, ideal for burn wounds due to their unique properties like high water content, nonadhesiveness to burn wounds, flexibility, and biocompatibility to provide a cooling environment and the ability to absorb extra exudate from the wounds. Various advanced hydrogels are nowadays available in the market, which have proven positive and effective results clinically against various burn wounds along with microbial infections. This chapter documents the advantages of hydrogels over traditional burn wound treatments and the applications of various hydrogels with antibacterial potential in burn wounds.