Burns in children
General
Burns and scalds are among the most common causes of an emergency situation in pediatrics. Scalds account for 85% of thermal injuries in children. It is mostly toddlers who pull hot water (pasta water, etc.) from the table on their own and pour themselves over. When scalded, only superficial layers of the skin are injured.
But hot water bottles that are too hot or remain on the skin for too long or bath water that is too hot can also cause scalds. 15% of thermal injuries are burns. Mostly older children in their first school years or teenagers are affected here, who can often get serious burn injuries from igniting or improperly grilling, smoking, playing with gasoline or spray cans with fire. Most often deeper layers of the skin are affected in burns.
Initial measures in the event of burns
In the case of scalds as well as burns, the heat source must first be removed.
Glowing clothes or clothes soaked with hot water must be removed immediately. In the case of scalds, immediate cooling is a crucial first measure. However, care should be taken that this does not result in hypothermia.
Direct cooling e.g. tap water should only be used on uninjured and unopened skin and should only be carried out intensively until the pain has subsided.
Vital parameters such as breathing and the cardiovascular system should also be saved in the event of scalds and burns. Any major injury should be admitted to the hospital. Wounds must be covered under sterile conditions and adequate pain therapy administered. The lack of liquid caused by the increased evaporation must be compensated. An impending shock can be averted by administering full electrolyte solution through the veins.
What to do about burns in children
The procedure in the case of a burn in the child depends on the extent and location of the burned skin area.
It is especially important not to panic and to calm the child down. Small, slight burns can in most cases be treated by the parents themselves. First of all, the affected area of skin should be cooled with cold water of around 20 ° for several minutes. If the pain subsides a little, a cooling and healing ointment can be applied after cooling.
In the case of more severe burns, the doctor speaks of burns of the 2nd and 3rd degree, as well as a burn of more than 10% of the child's body surface, the emergency services should be called. First of all, the affected area should be cooled immediately.
The use of ice water should be avoided, as it leads to increased blood flow and the associated increase in pain and can also cause cold damage to the skin. In the case of extensive burns, as well as in babies, attention must always be paid to hypothermia. Clothing that cannot be removed because it adheres to the skin should not be removed as this can cause even larger skin defects. In such cases, we recommend placing wet towels on clothing and changing them regularly.
Existing burn blisters must not be opened on site as this increases the risk of infection. The open skin areas should be covered with sterile and wetting cloths to prevent dirt and germs from entering.
It is recommended not to apply powders, ointments or oils to burn wounds. These substances worsen the skin condition and pose an increased risk of infection.
The procedures described are acute measures that parents can carry out on site. Especially in the case of severe burns, the emergency doctor should be called or the child should be transported to the hospital, as the children need immediate medical care due to the serious injuries and the associated risk of complications.
Burns on the hand
Burns in children are more common in the extremities, with the hands being particularly common. Children are very curious and want to discover and experience a lot.
In everyday life, burns tend to occur on the hands by touching a hot stove or a hot pot, as well as by pouring hot water over them. Burns on the hand and other areas of the body are divided into 3 degrees of severity. In the case of first-degree burns, triggered by brief exposure to heat, such as touching a hot stove top, the child feels a sudden, drawing, stabbing pain in the hand. The affected hand area appears red, swollen and overheated.
Second-degree burns also cause burn blisters with oozing spots on the hand and the children complain of severe pain. If the child's hand is exposed directly to fire or to long-term exposure to high levels of heat, third-degree burns can be accompanied by large blisters, extensive dead tissue down to the deep layers of the skin and a loss of pain sensation.
Ointment used to treat burns
In the context of light and superficial burns in children, special ointments available in pharmacies can be used after extensive cooling with water below approx. 20 degrees.
Many parents like to use a preparation from Bepanthen®, which is freely available in pharmacies under the name Bepanthen® wound and healing ointment. This can be applied to the affected area several times a day, cares for the skin and promotes the healing process.
Burn and wound gels are also available in the pharmacy. With their long-lasting cooling effect, these not only alleviate pain, but also regulate the moisture content of the skin and promote healing.
In the case of extensive burns with pronounced damage to the skin structures, however, the use of such ointments should be avoided and a presentation at the pediatrician or in a clinic should take place.
Homeopathic treatment of burns
As with many other diseases, the homeopathic treatment approach is also used in the context of minor burns in childhood.
There are some natural substances, such as Arsenicum album, Calendula or Causticum, which are used both in the form of beads or locally as tinctures or poultices. Consisting of plant-based substances, they ensure profound regeneration and healing of the affected areas of the skin.
They also have a moisture-retaining and pain-relieving character and support wound cleaning. This is to prevent infections and possible wound healing disorders.
Read more on the topic: Homeopathy for burns
