Burns in children

BURNS IN CHILDREN

Burns are injuries of the skin caused by excessive heat, by chemicals (acids and alkalis), or by electricity. The seriousness of a burn depends on the size, the location, and the depth of the skin burned. Burns are classified as first-degree (the least serious), second-degree, or third-degree (the most serious).
First-degree burns cause reddening of the skin and pain; they may blister after one or two days. (Sunburn is a good example of a first-degree burn.) Second-degree burns redden and blister immediately. Third-degree burns are deepest and cause the death of a full depth of skin; the skin blisters or appears scorched (blackened) or dead white. If more than 10 percent of the skin surface has suffered second-degree or third-degree burns, a serious emergency exists. In fact, any second-degree or third-degree burn should be treated immediately by a doctor. A person with severe burns may go into a state of shock, which is life-threatening and requires immediate medical treatment. Burns of the fingers, joints, and face may be serious because burns in these locations may cause scarring and deformity.

Signs and symptoms
Redness, blistering, or scorching of the skin are the obvious signs of a burn.

Home care
Do not try to treat second-degree or third-degree burns at home; they must be treated by a doctor. If a burn is blistered, charred, or scorched, cover it with a clean, wet cloth; keep your child warm; and see your doctor at once. Do not apply ointments or other treatments to burns that will need a doctor's care.
First-degree burns (reddened skin only) can usually be cared for at home. Immediately apply cold water compresses to the burn, or place the burned area under cold running water. Continue applying cold until the pain lessens, or for up to half an hour.
First-degree burns treated at home must be covered to prevent infections.
The covering should not stick to the burn, but it should keep out air and germs until the burn has healed. (Once air is kept from the burn, there should be no
Generously apply petroleum jelly. Then cover the area with several thicknesses of sterile gauze. Change the dressing every 24 to 48 hours until the burn completely heals.
Simple sunburn does not need to be dressed and covered in this manner.

Precautions
• If a severely burned child becomes weak, pale, cold and clammy, or shows any other signs of shock, keep the child warm and get medical help immediately.
• Prevention is extremely important.
• Water over 46°C can scald. If there are young children in the home, turn the thermostat on the water heater down low.
• When cooking, keep your eyes on young children.
• Keep matches and cigarette lighters out of your child's reach.
• Do not keep petrol or other inflammables in the home. Keep them under lock and key outside.
• Avoid inflammable garments.
• Keep child-proof plugs in electrical outlets.
• Serious electrical burns commonly occur when young children chew live electrical wires and extension cords.
• Second-degree and third-degree burns require up-to-date tetanus boosters.
• Do not leave children home alone - not even for a moment.

Medical treatment
Your doctor will usually hospitalize your child for any third-degree burns; for second-degree burns that cover more than 10 percent of the skin; and for second-degree burns of the face, fingers, or joints. Hospital treatment involves proper dressings, close attention to the need for intravenous fluids, attention to kidney and stomach complications, and sometimes antibiotics and plastic surgery.

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GENERAL HEALTH

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