General information
Burns and scalds are among the most common causes of emergency situations in pediatrics. Scalds account for 85% of thermal injuries in children. Mostly it is small children who independently pull hot water (pasta water, etc.)
from the table and get scalded. Scalding only injures superficial layers of the skin. However, hot water bottles that are too hot or remain on the skin for too long or hot bath water that is too hot can also cause scalds.
15% of thermal injuries are burns. Mostly affected are older children in the first years of school or teenagers, who can often suffer severe burns through lighting or improper barbecue, smoking, playing with gasoline or spray cans with fire. In most cases, burns affect deeper skin layers.
First aid measures for burns
In the case of both scalds and burns, the heat source must first be removed. Glowing clothes or with hot water, soaked clothes must be removed immediately. In the case of scalds, immediate cooling is a crucial first measure.
However, care should be taken to ensure that hypothermia does not result. Direct cooling, e.g. with tap water, should only be applied to uninjured and unopened skin and should only be carried out intensively until the pain has subsided. Even in the case of scalds and burns, the vital parameters such as respiration and cardiovascular system should be secured.
Clinical instruction should be given for every major injury that appears. Wounds must be sterilely covered and an adequate pain therapy must be carried out. The lack of fluid caused by increased evaporation must be compensated. An impending shock must be averted by administering full electrolyte solution through the veins.
What can be done about burns in children?
The procedure to be followed in case of child burns depends on the extent and location of the burned skin area. It is especially important not to panic and to calm the child. Small, minor burns can in most cases be treated by the parents themselves.
At first, the affected skin area should be cooled with about 20 ° cold water for several minutes. If the pain subsides somewhat, a cooling and healing ointment can be applied after cooling. In the case of more severe burns, the doctor refers to 2nd and 3rd degree burns, as well as a burn of more than 10% of the child’s body surface, the rescue service should be called.
At first, the affected area should be cooled immediately. The use of ice water should be avoided, as it leads to increased blood circulation and thus to an increase in pain and can also cause cold damage to the skin. In the case of extensive burns, as well as in infants, hypothermia must always be avoided.
Clothing that cannot be removed because it sticks to the skin should not be removed, as this can cause even larger skin defects. In such cases we recommend to put wet cloths on the clothes and to change them regularly. Existing burn blisters should not be opened on site, as this increases the risk of infection.
The open skin areas should be covered with sterile and wetting cloths to prevent the penetration of dirt and germs. In case of burns, it is recommended not to apply any powders, ointments or oils. These substances aggravate the skin condition and pose an increased risk of infection. The described procedures are acute measures that parents can carry out on site. Especially in the case of severe burns, the emergency doctor should be informed or the child should be transported to hospital, as the children need immediate medical attention due to the severe injuries and the associated risk of complications.
