Navigating the Key Trends and Major Advances in the Burn Ointment Market

Burn is one of the most severe and rapidly growing burdens worldwide, leading to a very high number of mortality and morbidity yearly. It can have intense physical, socioeconomic, and psychological consequences on the person and their family. As per the latest assessment by DelveInsight, incident cases of burns requiring treatment in the 7MM were found to be approximately 2 million in 2021. Moreover, in the United States, there were 55,000+ and 349,000+ treated incident cases of burns requiring pain management in the inpatient and outpatient settings in 2021. The United States accounts for the largest market size of burn pain in comparison to EU4 (Germany, Italy, France, and Spain) and Japan. The burn pain market size in the US was approximately USD 140 million in 2021, which is further expected to increase in the coming years. Among the EU4 countries and the United Kingdom, Germany had the highest incidence of burns requiring pain management, with an estimated 152,000+ cases. In the 7MM, it is observed that the gender-specific incident cases of burns are more in males than females. 

When treating and managing burns, over-the-counter burn creams or ointments can play a key role in the healing process and provide the necessary comfort. Burn ointments are topical medications applied to the body’s burnt area. Burn ointment is one of the first steps in the treatment algorithm, there are many different ointments present in the market. To improve the burn treatment scenario, globally, several pharmaceutical companies are actively investing in research to develop ointments or some new mode of action of drugs with more convenient and useful options considering patients having burn pain.

Burn Treatment and Management Approaches

Burn leads to skin injury or other organic tissue damage and can have a painful impact on the affected body part. Moreover, it can also result in local and debilitating systemic effects on all other organs and systems distant from the burn area. Burns can cause minor medical issues, but in some cases, they can also have life-threatening emergencies. Heat, radiation, radioactivity, electricity, friction, or chemical contact are some of the most common causes of burn. 

Managing pain in a patient with a burn injury can be complex. Pain originating from a burn injury is generally classified temporally, first as the pain in the acute process, then as the pain in the chronic phase when the bulk of tissue healing has occurred. Depending on the severity of the injury, a burn injury can require an early and prompt response to reduce the effect of the injury. It requires an interdisciplinary approach and management to prevent the adverse effect of the injury. The usage of burn ointment can have benefits such as moisturizing ingredients, anti-itch properties, pain relief, and antibiotics, which can renew and heal damaged skin while preventing complications. However, it is important to check with healthcare providers before using new creams, lotions, or ointments. Similarly, in some cases, like in the case of more severe burns, specialized medical treatment may involve oral or intravenous antibiotics, wound dressings, surgery, and even skin grafts may be required to heal the burn. 

Burn Ointment Market Segment Analysis

Burn ointments are essentially the first step in aiding any burn injuries and are used to treat injuries caused by burns such as chemical, electric, or sunburn. Burn ointments provide patients with instant relief. The burn ointment market can be segmented into various categories. As per the product type, it is segmented as topical antibiotics, silver-based, iodine-based, and other products. Burn could be of various degrees arising from various sources such as fire, electricity, and chemicals. By burn degree types, the burn ointment market is segmented as first-degree, second-degree, and third-degree. Based on the degree type segment of the burn ointment market, first-degree burn accounts for the largest market share, as more patients are affected by first-degree burns than other degrees. First-degree burns affect only the top layer of the skin and often result from touching a hot stove, hot water injury, and even sunburn. First-degree burns are easily cured by burn ointment at home. Therefore, the market consumption of burn ointments is high for first-degree burns.

Burn Ointment Market Dynamics

The rising prevalence of burn injuries is one of the major reasons for the growing demand for burn ointments. As per WHO (2018), an estimated 180,000 deaths are caused by burns every year globally, and the vast majority occur in low and middle-income countries. Notably, 70% of all burns worldwide occur in low and middle-income countries. Furthermore, over two-thirds of all burns occur in African and South-East Asian regions.

Apart from the rising prevalence of burn rate, the advancement in technology, growth in the research and development (R&D) activities in the burn ointment arena, and raising awareness around wound care management have led to the growth of the market. Another factor that is contributing to the growing market of burn ointment is the favorable reimbursement policies, especially in developed countries like the USA. However, despite several favorable factors, there are a few market restraints, such as side effects associated with burn ointments and usage of natural or home remedies to treat burn casualties are expected to hinder the growth of the burn ointment market.

Burn Ointment – Regional Market Assessment

As per DelveInsight, among all the regions, North America is expected to dominate the global burn ointment market in terms of revenue generation owing to the high prevalence of burn cases in the region, well-established healthcare infrastructure, and very high awareness among the people about the burn treatment options. According to the American Burn Association 2020, every year, over 450,000 serious burn injuries occur in the US that require medical treatment. Furthermore, over 45,000 burn injuries occur in Canada annually, with about 2000 patients requiring hospitalization. Apart from the high prevalence rate of burn cases, the active presence of major companies, favorable regulatory policies, and reimbursement policies also play a key role in the burn ointment market growth in the North American region. In many developed nations, such as the US, Medicaid reimbursement for burn injuries is high.

Key Players in the Burn Ointment Market 

Globally, several major companies are actively working in the burn ointment market to improve the burn treatment scenario. Some of the key companies in the burn ointment market include Johnson & Johnson, Mankind Pharma, Perrigo Company PLC, Pfizer Inc., Smith & Nephew PLC, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, Trio Lifescience Pvt. Ltd, 3M, Cardinal Health, Cipla Limited, ConvaTec Group PLC, DeRoyal Industries Inc., Dr.Morepen, GlaxoSmithKline PLC, Integra LifeSciences, Wisconsin Pharmacal Company, and others.

Due to the high growth potential and rise in demand for a better treatment option, several new players are anticipated to enter the burn ointment market in the near future. With the growing interest of companies in the burn ointment market and technological advancement, several new products are anticipated to be launched in the global market.

Key Trends and Developments in the Burn Ointment Market

Over the past years, several major clinical, commercial, and regulatory developments have been registered in the burn ointment market. Some of the key developments in the domain include –

• In April 2022, the Hospices Civils de Lyon sponsored a clinical trial that examined the use of silver sulphadiazine as an ointment for treating second-degree burns.
• In April 2020, Wisconsin Pharmacal Company announced the launch of a novel cooling burn spray under its MG217 first aid skincare brand. The new MG217 cooling burn spray combined maximum strength Lidocaine with aloe vera to provide fast and soothing topical pain relief from minor burns.

Due to intense market competition, several new collaborations, mergers, and acquisitions are expected to occur in the Burn Ointment Market in the coming years. 

Burn Ointment – Future Market Assessment

According to DelveInsight, the Burn Ointment Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.4% during the forecast period (2022-2027). The burn ointment future market potential looks promising, owing to the rising prevalence of burn-related injuries in the home and the workplace setting and significant advances in burn care treatment options. Another factor driving growth in the burn ointment market is the increasing awareness of the importance of early and effective treatment options for burns. Furthermore, with favorable reimbursement policies, the burn ointment market is expected to grow at appreciable revenue growth in the coming years. Companies are also actively developing new technologies and ingredients for burn ointments that are relatively more effective at treating burns and promoting healing.