The severity of burns will determine what you should do. There are three levels of burns.  There are first degree burns, second degree burns and third degree burns. Some can be treated at home while others require immediate medical  care.

Types of burns

First degree burns : The skin  turns red. It does not blister.  It may be somewhat painful like sunburn.

Second degree burns : The outer layer of the skin is burned and some part of the dermis is also damaged. This is very painful and will likely develop blisters.

Third degree burns : The epidermis and the dermis which  are the top two  layers of the skin are irreversibly damaged.  The skin will be charred or white.

Electric burns or a burn that results in the skin being charred, leathery or burned away is severe and need immediate medical attention. Any blisters or swollen burn that covers an area that is larger than your child’s hand or a burn  that is on the hand, face , foot, genitals or over a joint is  serious and should be seen by the doctor or the child should be taken to the emergency room immediately. If you have concerns about any type of burns , see your pediatrician.

How should i treat a minor burn ?

Most minor burns with small blistering can be cared for at home. If you have questions about how to care for them, ask your pediatrician.

What you can do

• cool the burn by running cool water over it for about 5 minutes. This will stop the burning  process and decrease pain and swelling. Do not rub it or put ice on it.  It will make the injury worse. Do not burst the swelling because it will increase the risk of infection at the burn site
• cover the burned area with non stick gauze or clean cloth. This will reduce the risk of infection and reduce pain
• gently wash the burned site with soap and water to protect the burn. Do not add ointment to the burned site unless instructed by your pediatrician. Do not apply home remedies like butter or grease to the burned site unless instructed by your doctor. They increase the risk of infection.

There are chances that the burn will still be painful after you have cooled it for about 5 minutes and covered it. Give your child pain medication such as Tylenol. Reassure your child to remain calm.

Will my child get a scar at burned site ?

This will depend on how deep the burn is.  Minor burns do  not blister and usually heal without scarring. Burns with blisters may heal without scars or may heal a different color than the surrounding skin.

You can minimize scars by doing the following :

• keep the burns covered until they have healed with new skin and do not weep any fluid
• after this time you can leave the burn uncovered  but you should protect it from the sun  for a year to prevent skin darkening. You can use sunscreen or clothing as sun protection