Burn

Burns in children can happen for many reasons. These include fires, touching hot things like radiators, hot drinks, sunburn, very cold temperatures, chemicals, and electric shocks.

The advice below should help you decide whether your child’s burn requires further help or whether it can be managed by yourself at home.

What to do immediately if your child has a burn:

• Remove the child from the source of heat as quickly as possible while avoiding getting burned yourself.
• Remove any clothing or jewellery, including nappies from the burned area UNLESS they are stuck to the burn as removing these could cause more damage.
• Cool the burn under cold running water for at least 20 minutes. Try to keep the rest of your child warm with blankets while doing so.

Caring for burns at home:

• Once cooled for at least 20 minutes as above - cover the burn with cling film to keep the burn clean and help relieve pain.
• Give simple pain relief like paracetamol or ibuprofen as required. Do not take more than the recommended dose on the instructions
• Burns can look different as they heal, so keep an eye on it. If it starts to show any of the red or amber signs, get medical help right away.
• Your child’s hand, including fingers, is the same as roughly 1% of their body’s surface area. Any burns this size or bigger are an emergency and you need to call 999 or attend the nearest A&E.

Do not:

• Put ice on the burn.
• Put greasy or oily substances, such as butter; or toothpaste on the burn.
• Cover the wound with anything fabric including bandages, plasters and cotton wool as these will stick to the burn and may be difficult or painful to remove.