Burn Treatment & Prevention Advices for Families

Burns are a common childhood injury. Sunburn, hot water or other hot liquids, fire, electrical contact, and chemicals are some of the things that might cause them.

All of these can harm the skin permanently and leave scars. Read on to learn what to do if your child is burned, and ways to help prevent these injuries.

Immediate treatment steps for burns

Soak the burn as soon as you can with cool water. Do not wait to apply cool water to the burn for a sufficient amount of time to cool the region and reduce discomfort.
Remove any clothing from the burned region unless it is firmly adhered to the skin and immerse any smoldering clothing in water to cool it down. If so, remove as much clothing as you can.
If the injured area is not oozing, cover the burn with a sterile gauze pad or a clean, dry cloth.
If the burn is seeping, softly cover it with sterile gauze if you have access to it and get medical help right once. Cover burns with a fresh sheet or towel if sterile gauze is not readily accessible.

When to call the pediatrician

See your doctor if the burn is more severe than a minor cut or if the pain and redness last for longer than a few hours. Any electrical burns, as well as burns to the hands, lips, or genitalia, require emergency medical care.

Burn-causing chemicals may also be absorbed via the skin and result in additional symptoms. After rinsing off all the chemicals, contact your doctor or the Poison Help Line (1-800-222-1222).

Your pediatrician might instruct you on how to treat the burn at home with medicinal ointments and dressings if they believe it is not too bad. When treating a burn at home, keep an eye out for any reddening or swelling that worsens, as well as any discharge or an unpleasant odor.
These can be indications of an infection that needs medical treatment. For further details, go to First Aid for Burns: Parent Questions.