As with burns on adults and older children, how you treat a burn on a baby's finger depends on the severity of a burn. Burns come in four "degrees," each more severe than the last. In all three cases, your major task as a parent is to easy baby's discomfort and do all you can to help the burn heal as quickly as possible.
First-Degree Burn
The least severe burn, a first-degree burn, appears as reddened skin. It's painful, but not very serious. Immediately place a burned finger in a bath of cold water; ice isn't necessary. With many babies, it will be easier -- and do no harm -- to immerse the whole hand in the cold water, not just one finger. Do this for approximately 20 minutes, then apply a burn cream or aloe vera gel to the burned area.
Second-Degree Burn
Second-degree burns damage the flesh deeper and are characterized by blisters on the skin. For a small second-degree burn, an area smaller than a dime, treatment is the same as a first-degree burn -- although you should cover the afflicted finger with a dressing to avoid infection. For anything larger, the treatment is the same, but place a call in to your pediatrician or nurse help line. The doctor or nurse will walk you through a checklist of questions to see whether you should come in to the emergency room for treatment.
Third-Degree Burn
A third-degree burn is serious business, with broken and charred skin on top and damage to the epidermis. For a third-degree burn to the finger -- or anyplace else on your baby's body -- get in the car immediately and go to the nearest emergency room. Shock is a concern with burns this bad, so keep your baby covered with a blanket for the trip. Do not apply ice or ointment, as both can cause extreme pain and increase he trisk of infection.
Fourth-Degree Burn
Fourth-degree burns are rare outside of major house fires and industrial accidents. A fourth-degree burn includes charring and cooking of deep tissue, up to and including bones. Treat fourth-degree burns as you would third-degree burns -- with an immediate trip to the emergency room while taking steps to keep your baby as warm as possible. A fourth-degree burn to a baby's finger carries with it a realistic chance of losing that finger.
References
- "Toddler 411"; Brown & Ari; 2010
- FreeMD: Third Degree Burns
