Are corticosteroids effective for prevention of scar formation after second-degree skin burn?

BACKGROUND

Superficial second-degree skin burns only need re-epithelialization to heal without a scar. After re-epithelialization, inflammation in the dermis contributes to changes in skin architecture and scarring. Suppression of inflammation and fibroblast activation immediately after re-epithelialization may prevent scar formation. Corticosteroids are the mainstay of treatment for keloids and hypertrophic scars.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the available data on use of corticosteroids for prevention of scars.

METHODS

A review of literature was performed seeking clinical trials using corticosteroids for prevention of scars.

RESULTS

Corticosteroids have been used to prevent recurrence after keloid or hypertrophic scar excision with variable success. We did not find any report involving the clinical use of corticosteroids for the prevention of scar formation in other settings, including after skin burns.

CONCLUSION

Theoretically, topical corticosteroids can suppress inflammation and fibroblast activation after skin burn, decreasing the incidence of scar formation. However, there is no study evaluating this hypothesis.