Background Burn injuries are one of the most common sources of trauma globally that comprise a significant drain on long-term personal and healthcare cost Large surface area burn wounds are difficult to manage and may result in significant physiologic and psychological sequelae . The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of Aloe Vera gel with Nitrofurazone ointment in the healing of superficial second-degree burn wounds.
Methods The present study was a split body controlled, randomized clinical trial. The sample was recruited from patients with superficial second-degree burn wound who were prescribed to treat with 2% Nitrofurazone ointment. Thirty patients with at least two burn, each burn on an alternate side of the body, entered the study — samples allocated to two groups which received Aloe Vera gel or 2% Nitrofurazone ointment on their burns. Bates-Jensen Wound assessment tool (BWAT) was used to evaluate the healing of burns. The burns were evaluated before, one, two and three weeks after the beginning of treatment.
Results The mean ± SD of BWAT scores in Aloe Vera zones were 30.32 ± 3.28, 27.33 ± 3.38, 21.33 ± 3.13, 16.12 ± 2.16 respectively (F(2, 65.07) =440.00, p=0.001). The mean ± SD of BWAT scores in Nitrofurazone ointment zones were 30.51 ± 3.79, 28.45 ± 3.49, 23.36 ± 2.89, 19.23 ± 2.11 (F(1, 52.00) =228.00, p=0.001).
Conclusions There is a significant difference in (BWAT) scores between intervention and control groups. Aloe Vera gel was as effective as Nitrofurazone ointment in the treatment of superficial second-degree burns.
Trial registration IRCT2014113020151N1. Registered 14 December 2014, https://www.irct.ir/trial/17874