What to do if a child has a burn

Burns are a common phenomenon in our lives, and many children will cry when they are burned. In fact, the principles of burns and scalds are basically similar, and both will damage the surface of our skin. Burns are divided into mild, moderate and severe burns. If it is a mild burn, you can use some cold water or ice compresses. So what should children do with burns?

If a child is scalded, rinse with cold water first

After a child is scalded, parents should quickly take the child away from the heat source. Experts point out that you should place the burned area under the faucet and rinse it continuously with cold water, or soak the burned area in a basin of cold water (not lower than 5°C to avoid frostbite) for 30 minutes. This can quickly and thoroughly dissipate heat from the injured area, cause the skin blood vessels to contract, reduce exudation and edema, relieve pain, reduce blister formation, and prevent scars from forming on the wound.

If the burned area is covered by clothing, soak the burned area in water first, cut the clothing with scissors and then remove the clothing. After rinsing or soaking, use iodine to disinfect the wound, and then apply burn ointment. Do not apply colored liquids such as mercurochrome and gentian violet to the wound, so as not to affect the doctor's judgment of the degree of burns. Do not apply alkaline powder, soy sauce, toothpaste, etc. These things not only have no therapeutic effect, but will cause infection of the wound.

Seek medical attention immediately in these situations:

1. If a child's burns exceed 5% of the total body surface area (the area of ​​a child's palm when five fingers are put together is 1%), after correct early first aid treatment, he or she should go to a regular hospital for treatment as soon as possible to avoid delay.

2. If blisters, pain, whitening or blackening of the skin occur at the burned site and the person loses the pain sensation, the patient should be sent to the hospital immediately for treatment. At the same time, during transportation, the wound should be covered with a clean cloth, avoid using cotton-wool or sticky cloth, and be careful not to break the blisters to prevent infection.

3. For serious burns, especially those on the head, face, neck, genitals, etc., the baby should be sent to the hospital for treatment as soon as possible because they may cause shock at any time.