Your child is more likely to get a severe chemical burn if he or she is younger than 6 of age. This is because:

• Young children are more curious about their surroundings and can accidentally come in contact with a caustic chemical, such as a household cleaner or detergent.

• Young children have more delicate skin than older children and adults.

Symptoms of this condition depend on the type of chemical that caused the burn and the way the chemical came in contact with the body. Symptoms may continue to get worse even after the chemical has been removed.

• Common symptoms include:

  • Colour changes of the skin. Your child’s skin may lose colour (blanch), turn red, or darken.

  • Blistered skin.

  • Rash.

  • Dry, flaky skin.

  • A type of acne (chloracne) that results from exposure to certain chemicals.

  • Burning or aching pain.

  • Itching.

• If your child inhaled a caustic chemical, symptoms can include eye or nose irritation, sore throat, or coughing.

• If the chemical is swallowed (ingested) or absorbed into the body through a wound, it can damage:

  • Organs, including the liver, kidneys and bladder.

  • The immune system, the nervous system, or the nose, throat, windpipe, and lungs (respiratory system).

This condition is diagnosed with your medical history and physical examination. Your child’s healthcare provider will check how deep the burn is and how much of your child’s skin surface it covers. Your child may be diagnosed with a:

• First-degree burn, if the burn only affects the outer layer of skin (epidermis).

• Second-degree burn, if the burn extends into the second layer of skin (dermis).

• Third-degree burn, if the burn extends through the dermis and into deeper tissue (hypodermis).

Your child’s blood pressure, heart rate and urine output may also be measured. If the injury is severe, your child may also have:

• Blood tests.

• A test to check the heart’s electrical activity (electrocardiogram, or ECG).

• A chest X-ray.

This condition may be treated by removing the caustic chemical. The skin will be washed or brushed to remove the chemical. Clothes will be removed if they have the chemical on them. After the chemical is removed, your child may receive:

• Oxygen to help with breathing.

• Antibiotics.

• Painkillers.

• Fluids through an IV tube.

• Bandages (dressings).

• A procedure to remove dead tissue (debridement).

• A tetanus shot.

Long-term burn care may include:

• Breathing support. Your child may be given oxygen using a machine (ventilator).

• Frequent wound dressing changes.

• Antibiotics.

• Surgery, including debridement, skin graft or repairing of damaged tissue or structures.

• Physiotherapy.

Medicines

• Give or apply over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as instructed by your child’s healthcare provider.

• Do not give your child aspirin because of the association with Reye’s syndrome.

• 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 starts to feel better.

Burn care

• Follow instructions from the healthcare provider about how to take care of your child’s burn, including:

  • How to clean the burn.

  • When and how you should remove or change the dressing.

• Check your child’s burn every day for signs of infection. Check for:

  • More redness, swelling or pain.

  • Fluid or blood.

  • Warmth.

  • Pus or a bad smell.

• Keep the dressing dry until your child’s healthcare provider says it can be removed.

• Do not let your child take baths, swim, use a hot tub, or do anything that would put the burn underwater until your child’s healthcare provider approves. Ask the healthcare provider if your child may take showers. Your child may only be allowed to take sponge baths.

• Do not put ice on your child’s burn. This can cause more damage.

Activity

• Have your child rest as instructed by your child’s healthcare provider. Do not let your child exercise until the healthcare provider approves.

• Have your child do range-of-motion movements, if instructed by the healthcare provider.

General instructions

• Have your child raise (elevate) the injured area above the level of his or her heart while he or she is sitting or lying down.

• Do not let your child:

  • Scratch or pick at the burn.

  • Break any blisters.

  • Peel any skin.

• Protect your child’s burn from the sun.

• Have your child drink enough fluid to keep his or her urine pale yellow.

• Do not put butter, oil or other home remedies on your child’s burn. This can lead to an infection.

• Keep all follow-up appointments as instructed by your child’s healthcare provider. This is important.