Silver sulfadiazine is a prescription cream used with other treatments to help prevent and treat wound infections in patients with serious burns. Silver sulfadiazine works by stopping the growth of bacteria that may infect an open wound. Silver sulfadiazine cream , often referred to simply as SSD cream , is a topical antibiotic used primarily to prevent and treat infections in burn wounds. It combines silver, which has antimicrobial properties, with sulfadiazine , a sulfonamide antibiotic. This combination makes it highly effective against a broad spectrum of bacteria, fungi, and ... Silver Sulfadiazine Cream is an antibiotic for burn wounds. It prevents and treats bacterial infections, but may cause skin reactions and staining. Learn how to use it, its safety, and substitutes.