Medical knowledge, Patient Education
Burn Care, Paediatric
Burn Care, Paediatric
Elsevier Patient Education © 2023 Elsevier Inc..
Last revised: October 6, 2023.
Burn Care, Pediatric
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First degree. These burns may cause the skin to be red and slightly swollen. These burns do not blister or scar.
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Second degree. These burns are very painful and cause the skin to be very red. The skin may also swell, leak fluid, look shiny, and develop blisters.
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Third degree. These burns cause permanent damage. They turn the skin white or black, and make it look charred, dry, and leathery. These burns may not be painful due to damage to the nerve endings.
Treatment for your child’s burn will depend on the type of burn he or she has. Taking care of your child’s burn properly can help to prevent pain and infection. It can also help the burn to heal more quickly.
How to care for a first-degree burn
Right after a burn:
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Rinse or soak the burn under cool water for 5 minutes or more. Do not put ice on your child’s burn. This can cause more damage.
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Apply a cool, clean, wet cloth (cool compress) to the burned area. This may help with pain.
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Put moisturising cream or gel with aloe vera on the skin. This may help soothe the burn.
Caring for the burn
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Using mild soap and water to clean the area.
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Using a clean cloth to pat the burned area dry after cleaning it. Do not rub or scrub the burn.
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Applying moisturising cream or gel with aloe vera to the skin.
How to care for a second-degree burn
Right after a burn:
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Rinse or soak the burn under cool water. Do this for 5 to 10 minutes. Do not put ice on your child’s burn. This can cause more damage.
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Remove any jewellery near the burned area.
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Lightly cover the burn with a clean cloth (dressing).
Caring for the burn
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Have your child raise (elevate) the injured area above the level of his or her heart while sitting or lying down.
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Follow instructions from your child’s healthcare provider about cleaning and caring for the burn. This may include:
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Cleaning or rinsing out (irrigating) the burned area.
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Putting a cream or ointment on the burn.
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Placing a germ-free (sterile) dressing over the burn.
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How to care for a third-degree burn
Right after a burn:
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Lightly cover the burn with a clean, dry cloth.
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Seek immediate medical attention for your child if he or she has this burn. Your child may:
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Require admission to the hospital.
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Be treated with surgery to remove damaged tissue or to place a skin graft to cover the damaged area.
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Be given IV fluids to keep him or her hydrated.
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Caring for the burn
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Follow instructions from your healthcare provider about cleaning and caring for the burn. This may include:
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Cleaning or rinsing out (irrigating) the burned area.
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Putting a cream or ointment on the burn.
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Placing a germ-free dressing on the burned area (steriledressing pack).
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Placing a sterile dressing over the burn.
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Other instructions
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Have your child elevate the injured area above the level of his or her heart while sitting or lying down.
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Have your child wear splints or immobilisers as instructed by the healthcare provider.
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Have your child rest as instructed by his or her healthcare provider. Do not let your child participate in sports or other physical activities until his or her healthcare provider approves.
How to prevent infection when caring for a burn
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Take these steps to prevent infection:
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Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after caring for your child’s burn. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitiser.
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Wear clean or sterile gloves as directed by the healthcare provider.
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Do not put butter, oil, toothpaste, or other home remedies on the burn.
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Do not scratch or pick at the burn.
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Do not break any blisters.
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Do not peel the skin.
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Do not rub your child’s burn, even when you are cleaning it.
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Check the burn every day for these signs of infection:
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More redness, swelling, or pain.
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Warmth.
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Pus or a bad smell.
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Red streaks around the burn.
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Follow these instructions at home
Medicines
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Give your child over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as instructed by your child’s healthcare provider.
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Do not give your child aspirin because of the association with Reye’s syndrome.
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If your child was prescribed antibiotics, give or apply them as instructed by his or her healthcare provider. Do not stop using the antibiotics even if your child’s condition improves.
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Your healthcare provider may recommend giving over-the-counter or prescription painkiller before changing your child’s dressing.
General instructions
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Protect your child’s burn from the sun.
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Have your child drink enough fluid to keep his or her urine clear or pale yellow.
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Keep all follow-up appointments as instructed by your child’s healthcare provider. This is important.
Contact a healthcare provider if:
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Your child’s condition does not improve.
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Your child’s condition gets worse.
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Your child has a fever or chills.
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Your child’s burn feels warm to the touch.
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Your child has more redness, swelling, or pain at the site of his or her burn.
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Your child’s burn changes in appearance or develops black or red spots.
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Your child’s pain is not controlled with medicine.
Get help right away if:
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Your child has blood or pus coming from his or her burn.
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Your child develops red streaks near the burn.
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Your child has severe pain.
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Your child who is younger than 3 months has a temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher.
Summary
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A burn is an injury to the skin or the tissues under the skin that is caused by a fire, hot liquid, chemical, or electricity.
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There are three types of burns. They are first degree, second degree, and third degree. The most severe type of burn is a third-degree burn, which must be treated right away.
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Taking care of your child’s burn properly can help to prevent pain and infection. It can also help the burn to heal more quickly.
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Contact a healthcare provider if your child’s condition does not improve, if your child has a fever or chills, or if your child’s burn feels warm to the touch.
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Get help right away if your child has blood or pus coming from the burn, or if he or she has severe pain, or develops red streaks near the burn.
This information is not intended to replace advice given to you by your health care provider. Make sure you discuss any questions you have with your health care provider.
