Children's burns do not always require emergency medical treatment in a hospital. Through a child's daily life injuries happen, such as minor burns from steam, a hot surface or open flame. The key to treating minor burns is immediate response to relieve pain and reduce the risk of scarring. It is important to have a pediatrician treat burns that break the skin or do not heal with home treatment. Seek immediate medical attention for burns that affect the feet, face or neck.
Step 1
Apply a cool compress to the affected skin, providing the skin is not broken. Run a clean washcloth or hand towel under cold water and hold against the burn. According to MedlinePlus, you can also submerge the burn in cool water for up to five minutes. Avoid applying cool water or compresses on blistered or bleeding burns.
Step 2
Apply a triple antibiotic ointment to the burn, suggests Jill Evans, a nurse at and the coordinator of the Pediatric Burn Center at the Medical University of South Carolina. This will prevent bacteria from settling into the damaged skin and causing infection. Ointment should be applied twice daily or with every dressing change.
Step 3
Cover the burn with a sterile bandage or gauze to protect the damaged skin. According to MedlinePlus, you should avoid pressure and friction to the burn site. Make sure that bandages are not applied too tightly and that they are secure enough that rubbing does not occur.
Step 4
Administer children's ibuprofen every four to six hours as needed for pain relief, suggest MedlinePlus. You should never give children younger than 12 any aspirin-containing products as this carries a high risk of Reye's Syndrome in younger children.
Step 5
Check your child's shot records to ensure he is up-to-date on his tetanus immunizations. If he is behind, it is important to contact his pediatrician for a new immunization.
Things You'll Need
- Cool compress
- Triple antibiotic ointment
- Sterile bandage
- Ibuprofen
