Burns and Scalds

A burn is an injury to the skin from something hot – a heater, oven, hot iron or saucepan.

Scalds are the most common burn among children. They’re caused by hot liquids, hot drink or boiling water in a kettle

First steps when a burn happens

-If your child gets a burn or scald, first make sure the area is safe and there is no risk of further injury to your child or yourself.

- Take your child to a safe place if possible. If the burn or scald is over your child’s clothing, remove the clothing immediately, if it isn’t stuck to the burn

  First aid treatment

-Treat the burn under running water; cool the burn, not the child; cover with a loose, non-stick dressing.

-Treat the burn under running water for 10-20min minutes. Do this straight away. This treatment is still useful up to three hours after the burn.

-Cool the burn, not the child. If the burn is large, stop cooling it after 20 minutes. This is because hypothermia can happen quickly in children. Cover the burn with a loose, light, non-sticky dressing such as plastic wrap or a clean, wet cloth. Raise burned limbs. 

When to get medical attention

 -visit a doctor for burns to face, airway, hands or genitals; go to hospital for large or severe burns.

-Don’t apply ice, iced water, lotions, moisturisers, oil, ointments, creams or powders to the burn. -Butter or flour can make the damage worse.

- Go to a doctor or hospital if the burn is the size of a 20-cent piece or larger, or if it’s deep, raw, angry or blistered.

- Also go if the pain persists or is severe, or you’re not sure how bad the burn is.