Pediatric Burns Treatment

Pediatric burn is a top reason for accidental injury and death among infants, children, and adolescents. Due to exposure to heat or hot liquids, skin and tissues can get scalded or severely burnt. It’s not only painful but also emotionally stressful for the child and the family. However, with suitable Pediatric burn treatment plan healing and recovery occurs in a few days or weeks. 

What is Pediatric burn?

Pediatric burn is injury to the child’s skin due to exposure to heat, flame, and chemicals. It affects millions of children worldwide, and to help them heal Pediatric burn treatment that involves surgery, post-operative care, and counselling.   

Symptoms of Pediatric burns

First-Degree Burns (Superficial): These burns are shallow and mild as the burn is limited to the skin’s top layer. The skin turns red, dry without blisters, mildly swollen, and painful. Healing takes up to 6 days, while the dead skin may peel within 2 days. 

Second-Degree Burns (Partial Thickness) – This Pediatric burn involves damage to second layer of skin (dermis). The burnt area turns red, swollen, blistered, and painful. Healing takes up to 3 weeks or longer depending on depth of the burn. 

Third-Degree Burns (Full Thickness): This is a life-threatening burning as all skin layers are damaged along with tissues, muscles, and nerve endings. The burnt area appears dry, leathery, charred. No pain is felt as the nerves are damaged. Often, patients need to undergo skin grafts surgery, and healing takes several months. 

Pediatric burns treatment

Pediatric burn treatment involves.

• Using cold compresses or cold water to cool the burnt area with until the pain subsides. 
• Using dry, sterile, gauze bandage or clean sheets to protect the burn and prevent infection.
• If clothes are stuck to your child’s body, cut the clothing around the burn area, only. 
• If blisters have formed, do not pop them, as risk of infection increases. 
• Do not apply ointments, sprays, or oils to the burned area, as chance of skin irritation increases.
• Seek immediate medical assistance in case of second- and third-degree burns. 

Complications

Pediatric burn if not healed properly may lead to the following complications.

• Fluid loss including low blood volume.
• Bacterial infection in the bloodstream causing sepsis.
• Difficulty in breathing due to inhaling smoke or hot air. 
• Alarmingly low body temperature.
• Overgrowth of scar tissue (keloids) leading to tightening of bone and joint which restricts free movement of the arms and legs.

Preventions 

To reduce the risk of commonly occurring Pediatric burn following preventions should be considered.

• Don't hold a child while cooking.
• Keep hot liquids away from the reach of children.
• Unplug irons and electrical equipment and store them where your children can’t reach them. 
• Check for hot buckles or straps of the car seat before placing your toddler in it. 
• Use safety latches on your store cupboards to keep away chemicals, matches, and lighters from your children. 
• Test bath water for heat before putting your child in the bathtub. It should be lukewarm. 

Why is Cutis Hospital for Pediatric burns surgery?

Our team of Pediatric burn surgeons, medical staff, and counsellors treat all types of burns- chemical, flame, and electrical burns. We have well-equipped operation theater for surgery and innovative medical procedures to delicately heal children and help them return to their normal lifestyle.