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How to Deal with Burns and Scalds (9 to 30 Months) | NHS
Understanding Burns and Scalds
Burns and scalds are common injuries that can happen to young children, especially those aged 9 to 30 months as they begin to explore their environment. A burn is caused by dry heat, like a fire or iron, while a scald is caused by wet heat, such as hot water or steam. It’s crucial to respond quickly and correctly to minimize damage and aid healing.Initial Treatment Steps
1. **Cool the Burn**: Immediately place the burn or scald under cool running water for at least 20 minutes. This helps to reduce swelling and pain, and prevent further skin damage. Do not use ice, iced water, or greasy substances such as butter. 2. **Remove Clothing and Jewelry**: Carefully remove any clothing and jewelry around the affected area unless it is stuck to the skin. This helps to avoid additional injury and allows the skin to cool appropriately. 3. **Cover the Burn**: Once cooled, cover the burn with cling film, a clean, non-fluffy cloth, or a sterile dressing. This helps to keep the area clean and free from infection.When to Seek Medical Help
- **Severity**: If the burn is larger than the size of the child’s hand or affects sensitive areas like the face, hands, feet, joints, or genitals, seek immediate medical help. - **Blisters**: Do not burst any blisters that form. Burst blisters can become infected. Let a healthcare professional assess the situation. - **Pain Management**: If the child is in a lot of pain and you’ve administered appropriate child-strength painkillers but they are still in distress, get medical attention.Preventing Burns and Scalds
- **Keep Hot Liquids Out of Reach**: Always place hot drinks and pots out of reach of children. Use the back burners on stoves and turn pot handles away from the edge. - **Use Barriers**: Install safety gates in the kitchen and use fireguards around fireplaces and heaters. - **Check Water Temperature**: Before placing your child in the bath, always check the water temperature with your wrist or elbow to ensure it is not too hot.Aftercare and Monitoring
- **Check for Signs of Infection**: Keep an eye on the burn area for redness, swelling, pus, or increased pain, which could indicate infection. If you notice any of these signs, consult a healthcare professional. - **Keep the Area Clean and Dry**: Follow the advice given by your healthcare provider on dressing changes and maintaining cleanliness to prevent infection.Conclusion
Burns and scalds need prompt and appropriate action to ensure they heal properly with minimal complications. By following these steps, you can effectively manage a burn or scald and know when to seek professional help. Prevention is key, so take proactive measures to keep your child safe from potential hazards. For more detailed advice, always refer to the NHS guidelines or consult with a healthcare professional.How to Deal with Burns and Scalds (9 to 30 Months) | NHS
Understanding Burns and Scalds
Burns and scalds are injuries that can happen to young children. Burns come from dry heat like a fire or iron. Scalds come from wet heat like hot water or steam. It is important to act fast to help the skin heal and not get worse.Initial Treatment Steps
1. **Cool the Burn**: Quickly put the burn under cool water for at least 20 minutes. This stops swelling, helps with pain, and stops more skin damage. Do not use ice or butter. 2. **Remove Clothing and Jewelry**: Take off clothes and jewelry near the burn, only if they aren't stuck to the skin. This avoids more harm and lets the skin cool down. 3. **Cover the Burn**: After cooling, cover the burn with cling film, a clean cloth, or a special dressing. This keeps it clean and stops germs.When to Seek Medical Help
- **Severity**: See a doctor if the burn is bigger than the child’s hand or affects the face, hands, feet, joints, or genitals. - **Blisters**: Do not pop any blisters. Popped blisters can get infected. Let a doctor check them. - **Pain Management**: If your child still hurts after pain medicine, go to a doctor.Preventing Burns and Scalds
- **Keep Hot Liquids Out of Reach**: Put hot drinks and pots where children can’t reach. Use the back burners on stoves and turn handles away. - **Use Barriers**: Put safety gates in the kitchen and use guards around fireplaces and heaters. - **Check Water Temperature**: Before bath time, check the water with your wrist or elbow to make sure it is not too hot.Aftercare and Monitoring
- **Check for Signs of Infection**: Look for redness, swelling, pus, or more pain in the burn area. These could mean infection. If you see these, call a doctor. - **Keep the Area Clean and Dry**: Follow your doctor's advice on how to change dressings and keep the burn area clean.Conclusion
Burns and scalds need quick and proper care for good healing. Use these steps to treat a burn or scald and know when to see a doctor. Stop burns and scalds by making your home safe. For more help, check NHS guidelines or talk to a doctor.Frequently Asked Questions
Cool the burn or scald with cold running water for at least 10 minutes. This helps to reduce pain and swelling.
No, do not use ice as it can cause further damage to the skin. Use cool running water instead.
No, do not apply butter, creams, or any oily substances as these can cause infection and delay healing.
Cover the burn with a clean, non-stick dressing or cloth. Plastic cling film can also be used. This helps to protect the area from infection while keeping it clean.
Seek medical help if the burn is larger than your child’s palm, affects their face, hands, feet, or groin, or shows signs of infection such as increased redness, swelling, or pus.
Yes, you can give appropriate doses of paracetamol or ibuprofen suitable for your child's age to help manage pain.
Yes, remove any clothing or jewellery near the burn, unless it is stuck to the skin. This helps to prevent further damage.
Do not burst any blisters, as this can lead to infection. Cover them with a sterile dressing and seek medical advice.
Generally, it's best to avoid antiseptic creams unless advised by a healthcare professional, as these can sometimes cause irritation or reactions.
Keep hot drinks, pans, and kettles out of reach, use the back burners of the stove, and never leave young children alone in the kitchen.
There are hydrogel dressings and other products available, but it’s best to consult a healthcare professional before using them.
Call 999 or go to A&E immediately if the burn is deep, larger than the size of your child's palm, causes white or charred skin, or has red, swollen edges spreading out.
Yes, keeping the affected area elevated can help reduce swelling and pain.
Although aloe vera is commonly used for burns, it’s best to consult a healthcare professional before applying it, especially on children.
Keep the area clean, replace dressings as needed, and watch for signs of infection. Avoid exposing the burn to the sun.
Hold the burn under cold water for 10 minutes. This helps stop pain and swelling.
No, don't use ice. It can hurt the skin more. Use cool running water instead.
No, do not put butter, creams, or anything oily on the burn. These can make it worse and stop it healing properly.
Put something clean and soft on the burn. Use a cloth that will not stick to it. Plastic wrap can help too. This stops germs and keeps the burn clean.
If your child has a burn, get help from a doctor if:
- The burn is bigger than your child's hand.
- The burn is on their face, hands, feet, or between their legs.
- The burn looks bad and has signs like lots of redness, swelling, or yellow liquid (pus).
Using pictures or videos about burns might help explain these tips. Ask a grown-up to help with finding this information.
Yes, you can give the right amount of paracetamol or ibuprofen for your child's age to help with pain.
Yes, take off clothes or jewellery near the burn, but only if they are not stuck to the skin. This helps stop more damage from happening.
Do not pop any blisters. This can make them infected. Cover them with a clean bandage and ask a doctor for help.
It is usually better not to use special creams that help stop germs, unless a doctor says it's okay. These creams can sometimes make your skin feel itchy or cause other problems.
Keep hot drinks, pots, and kettles where kids can't reach them. Use the back stove burners, and don't leave young kids alone in the kitchen.
There are special gel bandages and other products you can use. But it’s a good idea to ask a doctor or nurse before you use them.
If the burn is big, deep, or looks bad, get help fast. Call 999 or go to A&E right away.
Here’s what to look for:
- If the burn is bigger than your child's hand.
- If the burn goes deep into the skin.
- If the skin looks white or burned black.
- If the skin is red, very swollen, and getting larger.
Ask someone for help if you can, and stay calm.
Yes, if you keep the hurt area up high, it can help make swelling and pain go down.
Aloe vera is often used to help with burns. But before using it, it's a good idea to talk to a doctor, especially if you are using it on children.
Here are some helpful tips:
- Ask a doctor first.
- Check if it's safe for kids.
Keep the burn area clean. Change bandages when they need it. Look for signs that it might be infected. Do not let sunlight touch the burn.
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