Burns
There are different types of burns. These include heat (fire, hot water/oil, hot stove, sunburn), chemical, cold, and electrical. Some blistering infections can act like burns. How seriously you should take a burn depends on the type of burn, its depth, its location, and how large an area it covers. A 1st-degree burn shows red and painful skin, a 2nd-degree burn shows blistering and painful skin, and a 3rd-degree burn may show black charred or leathery white and painless skin.
Heat and Chemical
When your child has a heat or chemical burn on the skin, the first thing to do is run the burned area under cold water (never ice) for a few minutes. The reason for this is that there is continued heat or chemical damage going on even after the exposure. In the case of chemical burns, take off any clothing that may still contain the chemical. Do not pop/cut any bllisters, they are sterile protection for the skin.
For minor burns you can treat them yourself. If the blister is already open you can put a topical antibiotic on it and wash it with a mild soap and water twice a day. Cover the burned area loosely with sterile gauze.
The following burns are NOT minor and require immediate medical atttention;
1. If the burn (any degree) is larger than 3 inches in diameter
2. If the burn (any degree) involves the face, hands, feet, buttocks, groin, or a joint.
3. Any 3rd-degree burn, as it may involve muscle or bone.
4. Inhalation burns. These can damage the airways.
Electric Burns
These burns may be much worse than what you see on the surface. There can be damage to muscle and other tissue that won't be obvious to you. If there is burning on the surface of the skin go ahead and run it under cool water but definitely seek medical attention in the meantime. Failure to do so could lead to dangerous complications such as kidney failure.
Cold Burns
These occur when the body cuts its blood supply to the cold area, damaging the skin and other tissues (e.g. frostbite). This is why you should never apply ice directly to the skin (e.g. when putting ice on a swollen eye or ankle), always use a cloth around the ice. The result of a cold burn can be similar to a heat burn, i.e. pain and blistering. In the case of frostbite, get out of the cold environment as soon as possible, warm the area with a blanket or gloves. Yuo can also use warm water (never hot). Seek medical attention if numbness continues after warming, or if blistering in the areas mentioned above for heat burns.
We cannot stress enough the importance of burn prevention. Even the most capable of caretakers cannot watch their child every millisecond. Simple steps can be taken to reduce your child's risk;
1. Lower your water heater temperature to 110 degrees. Babies in particular are prone to water burns because of their thin skin, and 110 degrees protects your baby from a worst case scenario.
2. Remove your child from cooking areas. Absolutely do not cook while holding your child. Keep pot handles inward.
3. Do not drink hot drinks while holding your child.
4. Cover electrical outlets.
5. Lock away all chemicals/cleaning agents. Just having them "high up" may not be enough.