Evaluation of Post Burn Rehabilitation Population for Itch Control

Severe itching following burn injury is a common complication. As many as 87% of burn patients report severe itching. The intense itching can increase anxiety and can interfere with sleep and normal activities of daily living thus affecting quality of life. Often the itching will become so intense patients will scratch or rub the skin until an open wound develops. Current treatment for itching includes antihistamines, steroids. and/or moisturizers, but too often, the patient does not receive relief, even from drugs, and suffers undesirable side effects. Swiss-American Products, Inc, has developed a new skin moisturizer containing a blend of endopeptidase enzymes. These products have resolved itching in other types of skin disease such as dermatitis. The hypothesis that itching can be reduced through the use of these endopeptidase enzyme containing products in the post burn population will be tested.