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=__What is silver sulfadiazine?__=

Silver sulfadiazine is a tropical antibacterial agent used in brun creams. This tropical cream is a sulfa derivative used to aid second and third drgree bruns. It helps prevent and treat bacteria and also yeast from growing on the damaged skin. Some burn cream products that have silver sulfadiazine are Flamazine and Silvadene.[5]

__Historical review__
The use of silver has been orientated with medicine since as far back as 750AD. Although not until in 1881 silver was dicovered for medical use to prevent eye infection of ophthalmia neonatorum in babies. Carl Credé found that silver nitrate can be used as an antiseptic, to help stop Credé prophylaxis (as known in medical literature), in eyedrops for newborn babies. In a 2% silver nitrate solution Credé helped 1158 of 1160 newborns from ophthalmia neonatorum. Soon after a 1% silver nitrate solution had been diluted and used in standard pracitce in obstetric.[6]

In 1965 Moyer et al analysed how a cloth soaked of 0.5% silver nitrate has antibacterial effect on severe burns and a preventative from Pseudomonas aeruginosa which caused fatalities to people with these severe burns. By 1968 silver and a sulfonamide were combined to make silver sulfadiazine which is better than the silver nitrate.[7]

__Todays uses Antimicrobial Method__
There are other uses for silver sulfadiazine but it is used for sallow burns and effective for deep burns that have penatrated the skin[1]. This cream is good for burns because it sepcifically fights Gram-negative bacilli bacteria that grows on the skin surface. The efficiency of killing these microorganisms are continuosly trying to be improved from developing formulations of silver sulfadiazine mixed with chlorhexidine. Also silver sulfadiazine mixed with cerium nitrate (Flammacerium) which is also widely used in burn units.[6]

How silver works to kill the bacteria cells is not completely known. Although two men Russell and Hugo created a diagram review. Ionic silver is what will attact parts of the cell and effects structural and metabolic cell disruption. Aswell viral protein is affected and the viral nucleic acid is damaged.[6]

__Applications__
__**Silver sulfadiazine creams**__

These creams containing silver sulfadiazine agent should not be used during the time of pregnancy, with premature babies, and babies up to one month old. There are no yet know effect of this drug used upon pregnant female and studies are still being done to analyse this. Possible effects when used with a nursing mother are serious, the silver sulfadiazine can exit the body through the milk. A baby that will then drink this will have a chance in developing kernicterus in the brain causing uncontrolable movment of the babies legs, arm, body and face.[4] Once this cream is opened it is only good for seven days then it has to be thrown away. If there is any iching, burning feeling, or change in skin colour to a greyish blue you need to have this check over by a doctor problems like blood disorder may arise.[2] __Silvadene__ a water-miscible soft white cream which spreads easily. Used on burns to protect against any possible bacterial or fungus infections. The amount used is usually two times a day or as told by a doctor, and for newborns up to 2 months old is decided by a doctor. Here a diagram below shows the structural formula of silver sulfadiazine which is in a micronized form within the silvadene. For every gram of silvadene there is 10mg of this micronized silver sulfadiazine. Also in silvadene is white petrolatum, stearyl alcohol, isopropyl myristate, sorbitan monooleate, polyoxyl 40 stearate, propylene glycol, and water, with methylparaben 0.3% for a preservative.[3]



__Flamazine__ is another cream used to treat burn infections and any diseases on burn wounds. It can also be used to treat short-term infections of leg ulcers and pressure sores, and diseases in skin graft donor sites and large scraped areas. Aswell it can be used on finger-tirps where some nail lose or peeling of flesh has occured. Flamazine is more often applied to the burns usually once it is absorbed an other coat can be applied as for other injuries there will be different methods.[4]

Some physical properties of silver sulfadiazine is it has a melting point at 285 degree celcius or 545 degree fahrenheit. Its molar mass is 357.14 g/mol.[5]

__**References**__

[1] Bio Info Bank Library, http://lib.bioinfo.pl/meid:335697 [2009, June 13] [2] Patient UK, http://www.patient.co.uk/showdoc/30003730/ [2009, June 14] [3] Rxlist, http://www.rxlist.com/silvadene-drug.htm, [2009, June 8] [4]Smith-nephew, http://wound.smith-nephew.com/uk/Standard.asp?NodeId=2744 [2009, June 14] [5] Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver_sulfadiazine [2009, June 8] [6]World Wide Wounds, [|http][|://www.worldwidewounds.com/2006/may/Maillard/Focus-On-Silver.html] [June, 13] [7] Yahoo Health, Cerner Multum, http://health.yahoo.com/other-other/silver-sulfadiazine-topical/healthwise--d01259a1.html [2009, June 11]