How to Care for a Child With a Burn

Burns affect over one million Americans each year, leading to the hospitalization of nearly 40,000 children. They are among the most common preventable injuries that your child may receive. Most minor burns may be treated in the home. However, it is important to recognize when a burn may require additional attention from a trained physician.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Clean towel
• Tetanus shot
• Children's over-the-counter pain medication
• Cold water
• Sterile bandage or dressing

Care for a Child With a Burn

1. Remove the child from the source of the burn, whether it be hot water, open flame or another environmental cause.
2. Recognize that first-degree burns affect only a small amount of surface area of the epidermis or topmost layer of skin. Second-degree burns affect several layers of skin and cover more surface area. Third-degree burns affect the skin, as well as underlying tissue, and may result in a white or charred appearance to the skin.
3. Soak the burned area in cool water for up to 15 minutes or apply a clean towel, soaked in cold water, to the burn. Do not use running water to treat burns if the skin has been broken.
4. Remove any burned clothing or cut it away from the affected area.
5. Place a sterile bandage over the affected area and call your pediatrician or 9-1-1 for further assistance with more severe burns. Minor burns will generally heal on their own. However, your pediatrician may request that your child receive a tetanus booster should he not be current with this immunization.
6. Use care when administering pain relief via over-the-counter drugs. Talk to your doctor about which medications can be used and what dosage is appropriate for your child.

Tips & Warnings

• The best care for a child with a burn is prevention. Do not leave your child alone in the bathroom or kitchen, always test her bath water before allowing her to get in and use the back burners of the stove, with pot handles turned towards the wall, to help prevent the occurrence of burns in your home.
• Burns affecting the hands, face or feet are generally considered second-degree burns.
• Never use butter, ointments or ice to treat a burn. It is also not advisable to blow, cough or breathe on a burn injury, as this may lead to further infection and complications.
• Don't give aspirin to your child, as it can lead to a serious medical condition in children called Reye's Syndrome.