{"id":60855,"date":"2026-08-29T00:57:47","date_gmt":"2026-08-28T21:57:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/findmykids.org\/blog\/?p=60855"},"modified":"2026-08-29T00:57:47","modified_gmt":"2026-08-28T21:57:47","slug":"my-child-got-burned-what-to-do","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/findmykids.org\/blog\/en\/my-child-got-burned-what-to-do","title":{"rendered":"My child got burned. What to do"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hot tea, a\u00a0scorching pan, the July sun\u00a0\u2014 burns happen in\u00a0an\u00a0instant. The good news: the right first aid can reduce the consequences significantly.<\/p>\n

A\u00a0child\u2019s skin is\u00a0thinner than an\u00a0adult\u2019s, so\u00a0any external impact damages it\u00a0deeper and faster. A\u00a0small body loses heat and fluids more quickly, which means a\u00a0higher risk of\u00a0hypothermia and dehydration. A\u00a0child\u2019s immune system is\u00a0also still developing, so\u00a0infection can set in\u00a0easily. Even a\u00a0small burn on\u00a0the hands, feet, neck or\u00a0joints can leave rough scars, limit movement and affect growth. That\u2019s why a\u00a0doctor\u2019s assessment is\u00a0necessary even when the situation looks manageable.<\/p>\n

Types of\u00a0burns<\/h2>\n

Thermal<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 the most common: boiling water, steam, hot objects, fire. The most important thing is\u00a0to\u00a0cool the burned area under cool running water for 15\u201320 minutes immediately (full first aid algorithm below).<\/p>\n

Chemical<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 contact with acid, alkali or\u00a0aggressive household chemicals. For an\u00a0acid burn, rinse with a\u00a0baking soda solution; for an\u00a0alkali burn, use a\u00a0weak citric acid solution. If\u00a0you\u2019re not sure what the substance is\u00a0\u2014 just rinse with plenty of\u00a0cool running water and seek help.<\/p>\n

Sunburn<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 from\u00a0UV radiation. Cool the skin with cool water, apply a\u00a0soothing cream and move the child into the shade.<\/p>\n

Electrical<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 the most deceptive: may look minor on\u00a0the surface, but the damage is\u00a0often deeper than it\u00a0appears. Always requires a\u00a0doctor\u2019s assessment.<\/p>\n

How to\u00a0assess severity<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Degree<\/strong><\/td>\nWhat happens<\/strong><\/td>\nSigns<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1st degree<\/td>\nSurface layer of\u00a0skin affected<\/td>\nRedness and pain<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2nd degree<\/td>\nFull epidermis<\/td>\nBlisters with fluid<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3rd degree<\/td>\nAll skin layers destroyed<\/td>\nWhite or\u00a0black skin, no\u00a0pain<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

To\u00a0estimate the area: the child\u2019s palm equals roughly\u00a01% of\u00a0their body surface. A\u00a0burn covering 5\u20136 palms is\u00a0an\u00a0indication for urgent hospitalisation, even if\u00a0it\u00a0seems shallow.<\/p>\n

First aid: step by\u00a0step<\/h2>\n

Step\u00a01.<\/strong> Stop contact with the source\u00a0\u2014 move the child away from fire, a\u00a0hot surface or\u00a0chemicals.<\/p>\n

Step\u00a02.<\/strong> If\u00a0clothing is\u00a0on\u00a0fire\u00a0\u2014 cover the child with a\u00a0heavy cloth to\u00a0cut off oxygen, or\u00a0press them to\u00a0the ground and roll. Use water only if\u00a0the fire is\u00a0small and the fabric is\u00a0not synthetic.<\/p>\n

Step\u00a03.<\/strong> Remove clothing and jewellery from the burned area. If\u00a0fabric has stuck\u00a0\u2014 don\u2019t pull, carefully cut around it\u00a0with scissors.<\/p>\n

Step\u00a04.<\/strong> Cool the burned area under cool running water for 15\u201320\u00a0minutes. The water must not be\u00a0icy cold\u00a0\u2014 a\u00a0sudden temperature drop can cause vascular spasm. If\u00a0the child is\u00a0small, cool only the burned area and keep the rest of\u00a0the body warm: the risk of\u00a0hypothermia in\u00a0young children is\u00a0very high.<\/p>\n

Step\u00a05.<\/strong> Cover the wound with a\u00a0sterile bandage or\u00a0clean cotton cloth. Don\u2019t use cotton wool as\u00a0the fibres can stick to\u00a0the wound.<\/p>\n

Step\u00a06.<\/strong> Give an\u00a0age-appropriate pain reliever as\u00a0recommended by\u00a0your doctor or\u00a0pharmacist. If\u00a0the burn is\u00a0on\u00a0an\u00a0arm or\u00a0leg, elevate the limb to\u00a0reduce swelling.<\/p>\n

What not to\u00a0do<\/h2>\n
    \n
  • Apply butter, sour cream, kefir or\u00a0honey\u00a0\u2014 these create a\u00a0film and the burn continues to\u00a0\u201ccook\u201d underneath<\/li>\n
  • Use antiseptic dyes, alcohol or\u00a0iodine\u00a0\u2014 these increase pain, damage tissue and prevent the doctor from assessing the depth<\/li>\n
  • Sprinkle flour, baking soda or\u00a0starch\u00a0\u2014 this only contaminates the wound<\/li>\n
  • Apply ice\u00a0\u2014 this risks frostbite on\u00a0top of\u00a0the burn<\/li>\n
  • Pierce blisters\u00a0\u2014 the blister protects the wound from infection<\/li>\n
  • Bandage tightly\u00a0\u2014 the area will swell and compression is\u00a0dangerous<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    When to\u00a0call emergency services<\/h2>\n

    Call 999\u00a0\/ 911\u00a0\/ 112\u00a0if:<\/p>\n

      \n
    • the burn is\u00a0larger than five of\u00a0the child\u2019s palms or\u00a0covers several areas of\u00a0the body<\/li>\n
    • the face, neck, hands, feet, joints or\u00a0groin are burned<\/li>\n
    • the skin is\u00a0white or\u00a0black or\u00a0paradoxically feels no\u00a0pain: this is\u00a0a\u00a0sign of\u00a0a\u00a0deep burn<\/li>\n
    • the burn is\u00a0chemical or\u00a0electrical<\/li>\n
    • there is\u00a0hoarseness, coughing, or\u00a0soot around the mouth or\u00a0nose\u00a0\u2014 the airways may be\u00a0affected<\/li>\n
    • the child is\u00a0under three years old\u00a0\u2014 for any burn of\u00a0any degree<\/li>\n
    • there is\u00a0lethargy, repeated vomiting, high fever or\u00a0signs of\u00a0infection<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Burn prevention<\/h2>\n
        \n
      • Keep hot drinks and food away from the edge of\u00a0the table\u00a0\u2014 a\u00a0child can reach a\u00a0cup or\u00a0plate in\u00a0seconds<\/li>\n
      • Turn pot handles towards the wall so\u00a0the child can\u2019t grab them<\/li>\n
      • Put away irons, hairdryers and straighteners immediately after use. Don\u2019t leave them to\u00a0cool where a\u00a0child can reach<\/li>\n
      • Store household chemicals in\u00a0a\u00a0safe place and only in\u00a0their original packaging. Never pour them into water or\u00a0juice bottles\u00a0\u2014 children don\u2019t read labels<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t