Burns and scalds are serious injuries that children until the age of 14 years are more prone to. Sometimes these injuries might look as if there is nothing serious, but if left untreated, they may soon turn into a serious issue. Therefore, every parent and caregiver must know how to treat burns in children so that if at all a need arises, they are equipped with the knowledge of what to do next.
In this blog post, we will talk about burns in children, their treatment, and when to take your child to the doctor for an evaluation.
Identifying Burns
Before we discuss the treatment of burns in children, let us walk you through the different types of burns so you can identify the severity of your child’s burns.
First-degree
A first-degree burn affects only the epidermis, which is the outer layer of the skin. The burnt area looks red, and your child may complain of mild pain. The skin may look dry and tight, but you won't notice any blisters.
Second-degree
A second-degree burn affects the epidermis as well as the dermis to some extent. Your child will complain of intense pain, and you will notice redness, swelling, and blisters on the affected skin.
Third-degree
If your child has a third-degree burn, their skin will appear charred, white, and leathery. Your child may or may not feel pain due to nerve damage. These burns affect deeper layers of the skin along with underlying tissues.
Fourth degree
These are the most severe and life-threatening burns. The skin turns black and charred, and there is no pain or sensation due to complete nerve damage.
Burns in Children: Treating a Minor Burn at Home
Most first- and second-degree burns are minor burns and can be treated at home. However, if you’re unsure of the severity of the burn, call your child’s paediatrician and ask if you can treat it at home or need to visit the doctor’s clinic.
Fid aid for minor burns in children typically includes the following steps:
1. Remove clothing
Take off any clothing that might be covering the burnt area. Remember not to remove any piece of clothing stuck to the burnt area.
2. Run cool water over the burn
Turn on the tap and let cool (not cold) or regular water run over the affected area. Do this for up to 5 minutes. Not longer.
Or, you may apply a clean cloth dipped in cool water over the affected area for as long as 30 minutes. This will ease the burning sensation and decrease pain.
3. Apply aloe vera gel or an antiseptic cream
Take a small amount of aloe vera gel or a burn cream (confirm with your paediatrician first) and apply a thin layer to the burnt skin.
4. Wrap it up
Once your child feels better, lightly wrap a soft, clean cloth or gauze bandage over the burn so it remains clean and dirt-free.
5. Give pain medication if required
If your child complains of pain or feels discomfort, give a dose of pain-relieving medication as suggested by their paediatrician.
6. Change dressing regularly
Change the bandage daily until the affected area gets better.
What Not to Do When Treating Burns and Scalds
Here are some things you must not do when your child has a burn:
- Don’t put any powder, oil, or butter on your child’s burnt skin.
- Don’t break blisters if you notice them on the skin.
- Don’t apply ice to the affected area, as it can cause more damage.
When to Take Your Child to the Paediatrician
Some situations call for an immediate doctor’s visit. Take your child to the doctor in the following cases:
- The burn appears severe, has big blisters, or appears white, leathery, and charred
- The burn is on the face, head, or genitals
- There is increased redness and swelling in and around the affected area
- You notice pus or fluid oozing out
- The burn is spread over a large area
- Your child has developed a fever
- Your child is in discomfort and not feeling better after first aid
Tips to Prevent Burns in Children
Most burns happen because we are not careful. Here are a few tips to help prevent burns in children:
- Never allow kids close to the stove and open flames.
- Keep hot drinks and foods close to the table’s centre and not near the edges.
- Check the bath water temperature before letting the kids have a bath.
- Turn the handles of pots and pans inwards while cooking.
- Ditch front burners and use back burners instead.
In Conclusion
It is quite common to see burns in children. The reason why kids are more prone to burns and scalds is because they are curious beings who are yet to develop a complete sense of awareness. For this reason, parents must learn how to treat burns in children so they can take quick action and reduce the chances of complications.
When taken care of well, most minor burns get better with first aid and do not require a doctor’s intervention. However, if the burn appears severe, take your child to the doctor without delay!
FAQs
Will the burn leave a scar on my child’s skin?
While most minor burns do not leave a scar, burns with blisters or the ones that cause damage deep into the skin may cause scarring.
What are the different types of burns?
Burns are divided as thermal burns, cold exposure burns, electrical burns, radiation burns, and chemical burns.
Which burns can I treat at home?
Minor thermal burns can be treated at home using first aid for burns. For all other burns, including chemical and electrical burns, call for immediate doctor’s attention.
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Sources:
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/all-around/Pages/First-Aid-For-Burns.aspx
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/burns-sheet.html
Image Source: Image by prostooleh on Freepik
