Tuesday, February, 5 2019

National Burn Awareness Week

Addressing Pediatric Burns

Many times, children get injured by common household accidents you may not even think about. The first week in February is National Burn Awareness Week. There are many ways your kids could possibly burn themselves in your home –and it’s not just a hot stove issue! Kids can turn on hot water and not have the reasoning to turn off the faucet quickly or removing their body from the water stream. It’s one of those unfortunate accidents you think will never happen to your family, but a few minutes now can protect your children from scalding burns in the future!

Annually, approximately 1,100 children die each year from fire and burns!

All about Pediatric Burns – the Dos and Don’ts plus tips for treatment (see infographics attached)

Treating Pediatric Burns 

Minor pediatric burns can be treated at home with some helpful tips. Most first degree burns only affect the top layer of skin and should heal on their own within a week with simple first aid care at home.

In children, all second- and third-degree burns should be seen by medical professionals.

§  Second degree burns: symptoms include severe pain, redness and blistering. You’ll especially want to see care if the burn is on the face, genitals or covers more than a two-three-inch area.

§  Third-degree burns: often appear dry and can look waxy, leathery, white or charred. Pain may be minimal at first due to nerve damage to the area.

Tips: 

(1) Cool the burn with cool (not cold) water to stop the burning process.

(2) Remove all clothing and diapers from the injured area.

(3) Cover the area with clean dry sheet or bandage

(4)  Seek medical attention.

Seek emergency care. Until emergency care is received, keep your child laying down and the burn area elevated. Remove clothing from the burn, and apply cool water and cover with a DRY cloth until help arrives.

Information Source:  Mercy Medical Center - Des Moines