Burns

Injury Definition

• A burn is a thermal (heat) injury to the skin. Burns are classified as:
• 1st degree – reddened skin without blisters (doesn’t need to be seen)
• 2nd degree – reddened skin with blisters (takes 2 to 3 weeks to heal)
• 3rd degree – deep burns with white or charred skin. Skin sensation is absent. Usually needs a skin graft to prevent bad scarring if it is larger than a quarter (1 inch) in size.

See More Appropriate Topic if

• Sunburn

First Aid for Thermal Burns

• Immediately (don’t take time to remove clothing) put the burned part in cold tap water or pour cold water over it for 10 minutes. (Reason: lessen the depth of the burn and relieve pain)

First Aid for Chemical Burns

• Remove any contaminated clothing
• Flush the chemical off the skin with warm water for 10 minutes. For large areas, use a shower

Call 911 Now (your child may need an ambulance) if

• Large 2nd or 3rd degree burn
• Difficulty breathing with burn to the face

Call Your Doctor Now (night or day) If

• You think your child has a serious burn
• Large blister is present
• Eye or eyelid burn
• Center of the burn is white or charred
• Electrical current burn
• Explosion or gun powder caused the burn
• Acid or alkali burn (First aid: flush with tap water for 10 minutes)
• Chemical on skin that causes a blister (First aid: flush with tap water for 10 minutes)
• House fire burn
• Burn looks infected

Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours (between 9 and 4) If

• You think your child needs to be seen

Call Your Doctor During Weekday Office Hours If

• You have other questions or concerns

Parent Care at Home if

• Mild thermal or chemical burn and you don’t think your child needs to be seen

Home Care Advice for 1st Degree Burns or Small Blisters

1. Pain Medicine: For pain, apply cold compresses and take acetaminophen every 4 hours or ibuprofen every 6 hours.
2. Cleansing: Wash the area gently with an antibacterial liquid soap and water once a day.
3. Blisters: Don’t open any small closed blisters – the outer skin protects the burn from infection.
4. Expected Course: It will probably hurt for 2 days and peel like a sunburn in about a week. Fortunately, first- and second-degree burns don’t leave scars.
5. Call Your Doctor If
   • Severe pain persists > 2 hours after giving pain medicine.
   • Burn starts to look infected (pus, red streaks, increased tenderness)
   • Your child becomes worse or develops any of the “Call Your Doctor Now” symptoms