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THE  RISK  OF  INJURY

 

Children under five are more likely to suffer from severe burns and scalds than any other age group.

 

Every year, over 3000 pre-school children are taken to the hospital suffering from the burns and sadly, many die or are disfigured for life.  Burns are the second most common cause of accidental death of young children, after traffic accident.

 

Children who are age under five especially toddlers, are active and inquisitive They are too young to realize the danger posed by heat and certain objects and situations. Young children also have  small bodies and delicate skin, factors that can intensify the damage cause by a burn.

 

There are steps you can take that will reduce the risk to your child.  The first is to have preventive safety measures in place at all times. Secondly, it is vital to know what to do and what treatment to apply if the burn occurs.

 

Types of burn

 

Burns can be divided into three main types. Depending on the skin damage, they may be superficial, partial thickness or full thickness. They are also described as first, second or third degree.

 

Superficial, or first degree burn: this type of burn is the mildest and most common of the three groups. Only the outer layer of the skin is damaged. There will be some redness, swelling and tenderness before the area heals naturally. The scar will probably heal within a week.

 

Partial thickness, or second degree burns: this type of burn is more serious. The outer layer of the skin burns through but there is no damage to underlying tissues. It is usually painful and there may be raised blisters as well as redness and swelling.

 

Full thickness, or third degree burns: this type of burn is the most serious of all. All the layers of skin are burned through and there may be damage to the tissues beneath. Although these burns may be painful, there is sometimes little or no pain because of damage to the sensory nerve endings. 

 

When to seek help

 

Always seek medical aid in the following circumstances:

• If the child is under two years old.
• If the burn involves the face ­especially the nose or mouth, or is blocking the airways.
• If there has been smoke inhalation, which can block the airways.
• If the area affected is bigger than the palm of the child's hand.
• If the burn is located around the chest area, as this can constrict breathing movements. 

Preventing burns

 

Hazards in the home are one of the primary causes of burns in children

 

Half of all burns suffered by young children take place in the kitchen. Watch your child at all times, especially when you are cooking. Turn pan handles inwards and don't let electric cords dangle down. Use a playpen to keep a young child safe if you are busy. 

Keep matches and lighters well out of your child's reach and sight. 

Keep corrosive substances safely locked away. 

Fit smoke alarms on every floor of the house and test them regularly. 

Use a fireguard around any heater. Make sure it covers the whole heater and is attached securely to the wall. 

Put cold water in the bath before hot water to avoid scalding. 

Home emergency treatment

 

All but the most superficial burns in young children require medical attention, but your actions in the first few minutes may make a big difference to the degree of injury your child sustains.

 

Cool the burned area immediately with lots of cold water for at least 10 minutes. If no water is available, use another safe and cold watery liquid such as milk. Keeping the burn immersed in water will help to ease the pain. Hold the burned area up off the ground to keep it clean, and try not to touch it. 

Remove any clothing or jewelry around the burned area, which might become tight as the burn swells. Cut around any clothing that is sticking to the skin ­lifting such material away may remove the skin. 

Cover the burned area with a clean, preferably sterile, dressing or cloth. Do not use anything fluffy, such as cotton wool, which would stick to the burn. Alternatively, once cooled with water for at least 10 minutes, cover the burned area with cling film or a clean plastic bag. 

Do not give the child anything to eat or drink. Assess the child for signs of shock, such as pale, cold sweaty skin and rapid pulse and breathing. Remember to keep her warm. 

If the burn is severe, especially if caused by fire with smoke, keep a check on your child's breathing. Be ready to resuscitate her if necessary. 

Chemical  burns

 

Chemical burns are caused by corrosive substances that may irritate and damage the skin, or be absorbed into the body to cause further harm. A chemical burn always requires medical attention, but the immediate treatment is similar to that used when burns are caused by heat.

 

• Remove your child from any spillage of chemicals. Wear rubber gloves if you have them. 
• Use large amounts of water to dilute the chemical and clean the area. Continue running fresh water over the burn for at least 20 minutes. 
• If there is a large amount of powder on the skin, brush it off carefully first. 
• Remove clothing covering the burned area while you are flooding it with water, unless it sticks to the skin. 
• Seek medical help, letting the doctor know which substance caused the burn. 

Hospital treatment

 

A child may need minor treatment, or may be taken to a specialist burns unit for expert attention. If your child is admitted

 

Fluids into a vein to make up for fluid lost at the burn site. 

A blood transfusion, if necessary. 

Skin grafting in serious, full thickness burns, to replace lost skin. 

Antibiotics to treats infections. 

Surgery at a later date, to help loosen any scars that form. 

For  More  Information:  Please  consult  your  physician  on  your  next  visit.