My child has a burn! What now?

If your child has a serious burn, keep calm – and follow the instructions below!

Resources:

• British Red Cross
  Learn first aid for a baby or child who has a burn
• Healthy Children
  Burn Treatment & Prevention Tips for Families
• NHS
  Treatment: Burns and scalds

Determine the seriousness of the burn

• First-degree burns: your child’s skin is red and is painful only in the burned area. These are superficial burns and you can generally treat them yourself. (See below under ‘First-degree burn? Always apply water first’)
• Second-degree burns: your child’s skin is red with (cracked) blisters. Your child will feel pain in the burned area. With second-degree burns always go to your general practitioner. If the burns are large, go straight to the hospital.
• Third-degree burns: your child’s skin has a white/grey colour. This indicates dead tissue. There is no pain in the burned area itself, but at the edges of the burn. Do NOT remove any clothing! Go directly to the hospital!
• Chemical and electric burns: if your child has burns from electricity (for example fingers in an electrical socket), or from chemical products, always call your general practitioner.

First-degree burn? Always apply water first

Hold the burned area under lukewarm, flowing water for 10 to 15 minutes. Only cool the burned area, otherwise your child may become (too) cold.

Remove nappies immediately

If your child has been burned by a hot liquid (e.g. water or tea), the hot liquid may be retained in its nappy. Therefore remove nappies immediately.

Remove clothes only if not stuck to the wound

Only remove clothing if it is not sticking to the burn. If clothing has stuck to the wound this may indicate a more serious burn. In such a case call your doctor for advice.

Scar cream for children’s burns

A scar cream may only be used on a first-degree burn when the skin is whole (i.e. no blisters or open wounds). The scar cream will accelerate healing of such first-degree burns and minimise the chance of scar formation.

In case of serious burns (second or third degree) only use scar cream if advised by your doctor.

ALHYDRAN reduces the symptoms of burns (such as itching), increases skin elasticity and speeds up the repair of the scar tissue.