Scalding of the toddler
Children have a very lively urge to explore. Since they are also quite clumsy, tearing off hot liquid containers from the stove and table is very common and in many cases leads to scalding. At about 70%, scalds account for a large part of all burns.
It is important to note that, compared to adults, scalds and burns are much more dangerous in children. For example, second-degree burns on a scalded body surface can be life-threatening in adults from about 10%, but in children from about 5%. The easiest way to estimate the extent of burns in children is to use the rule of thumb that the palm of the little patient’s hand (including the fingers) is about 1% of the body surface.
The treatment of scalding in infants is otherwise similar to that for adults.Immediately after removing the heat source, sufficient cooling (ideally with tap water at a temperature of about 20°C, but not with ice) should be applied. If possible, the wound should be covered sterilely. The opening of burn blisters should be avoided, as well as the application of household remedies such as oil, flour or similar to the wound.
Burned clothing or other objects remaining on the skin should only be removed by qualified personnel and should remain on the child’s body until they arrive. Large area burns or scalds of second or higher degree should always be treated by a physician for children. Infants and toddlers with burns should always be presented to the clinic.
Incineration
Somewhat more rarely but still frequently burns occur in the household. Mostly no hot liquids are involved, but rather candles, stoves, heating spirals of the stove, gas flames at the stove, hot fat or too long hot-water bottles. The burns are classified into 4 degrees of severity depending on the depth and size of the area affected.
While grade 1 only causes a slight swelling and reddening of the skin and corresponds to sunburn, grade 2 already causes blisters. In this case it cannot be said with certainty whether the skin can heal without scarring. Grade 1 and 2 are characterized by sometimes severe pain.
Grade 3 is already painless, as the nerve endings are already destroyed and can no longer transmit the pain. Grade 4 is the most severe form of burn. This involves the involvement of fascia and bones lying under the skin.
In order to determine the burn area, one looks at the individually affected body regions. In adults, the head or neck is 9% of the skin, the trunk 36%, the arms 18%, the legs 36% and the genitals 1%. In children and infants, the distribution pattern is shown slightly differently.
Even in the case of burns, immediate cooling is in principle advisable. It is also important here to first remove the burnt clothing. If the burn is grade 1 or 2, the procedure is the same as for scalding.
In case of grade 3 and 4, a sterile cover should be applied first. Open skin areas are extremely at risk of infection. One should pay attention to this right from the start.
You can place ice packs on the sterile cover. Depending on the degree or spread of the infection, an emergency doctor must be called immediately, as it may be necessary to transport the patient to a special clinic. Every year in summer there are numerous barbecue accidents, in which carelessly alcohol or other flammable liquids are poured into the barbecue and flash fire injuries are accepted.
Also to the Christmas season it comes again and again to injuries by Christmas tree or Adventskranzfrände and/or by fireworks. In case of doubt, always consult a doctor in case of burns. The situation is particularly urgent when there is no more pain in the case of a severe burn, or when tissue under the skin becomes visible.
In extreme cases, burning clothing may occur. In this case, a second aide should always extinguish the fire with the help of a blanket. The situation becomes difficult if the person concerned tries to run away in panic. As long as the clothing is burning, the degree of burning and the spread will continue very quickly.
