What to do if your child gets burnt

Burns are one of the most common household injuries, especially among children.

They are mostly caused by hot water, flames, hot surfaces, chemicals and electrical appliances. It doesn’t matter whether you are a first-time parent, or have your third child on the way; the following advice can be of help to any parent regarding their children.

Clinix Health Group encourages all households to keep a basic burn kit in the house at all times. This will make a significant difference to the initial treatment of the wound.

Household burn kits are readily available and inexpensive. The kit should include items such as painkillers, dressing pads, dressing gel, a thermometer, forceps and scissors, gauze, bandages, gloves and a thermal rescue blanket, Group Nursing Service Manager Bernadette Campbell explained.

“Before treating a wound however, parents need to understand the varying degrees of burns so that they can know what medical action to take,” Campbell said.

The severity of the wound are explained in the following:

• First degree: Affects the outer layer of skin, causing redness, swelling and some pain.

• Second degree: Affects the first and second layers of skin, causing bright redness, swelling, blistering and a significant amount of pain.

• Third degree: Affects all layers of the skin and underlying tissue, causing a wound that looks charred, black, white, leathery or waxy. There may only be a little bit of pain due to the nerves on the skin being damaged.

“The first step in treating any of the above wounds is to separate the child from the source of the burn immediately. If any part of the child is on fire, wrap them in a blanket, coat or even your own body and, if possible, roll the child on the ground to extinguish the flames,” Campbell said

Here are a few guidelines by Clinix Health Group for burn wounds.

First and small second degree burns:

Immediately remove all clothing from wounded area. If a chemical burn occurred, it is crucial to rinse the area with water for several minutes before removing any clothing. After running cool water over the burn for about five minutes, apply a clean, wet cloth to the wounded area. Gently pat the area dry with a cloth and cover it loosely with a non-stick sterile gauze which will protect the skin. Provide the child with pain relieving medication which is appropriate for their age. Look out for signs of infection such as redness, fever, swelling or oozing. If these occur, consult your doctor immediately.

Large second-degree and any size third-degree burns:

Do not remove clothing if it is sticking to the burnt area. Lay the child flat and apply a cool wet cloth for about 20 minutes. Don’t put the child into a cold bath as this can cause shock. Gently pat the area dry and cover it loosely with a non-stick sterile gauze to protect the skin. Contact your doctor immediately and give details on the type of burn sustained.

Remember:

• Do not apply ice, butter or powder to the wound because this could aggravate it.

• Do not break blisters as this makes the wound open to infection.

“Recognising and administering treatment to a burn wound as soon as possible after it’s happened can aid the healing process tremendously. Always call for emergency medical advice or assistance if you’re unsure of the severity of the burn and especially if it is a severe chemical or electrical burn,” Campbell concluded.

Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at randfonteinherald@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 693 3671.

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