Causes Of Burns

There are several types of burns that your child can suffer from. 

Sunburns And Radiation Burns

One of the most common burns that children will suffer from is radiation burns, otherwise known as sunburns. A child can get sunburnt with only fifteen minutes of sun exposure, as UV rays are particularly harmful to the skin. The signs of sunburn in kids may not show up until several hours after they are removed from exposure, and these symptoms can be very uncomfortable for your child. Symptoms of mildly sunburned skin include: 

• Redness
• Itchiness
• Pain

In severe cases, children may also experience: 

• Blistering
• Swelling
• Tingling
• Fever
• Chills
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Headache 

At KidsStreet Urgent Care, we offer treatment for sunburn in our urgent care services for kids. 

Thermal Burns 

Another common burn type is thermal burns. These burns occur when the skin comes into contact with steam, hot liquids, or touches something hot like a stovetop. This contact raises the temperature of the skin and the underlying tissue. After a thermal burn, your child’s skin may: 

• Blister
• Swell
• Redden or lose color altogether
• Peel

These burns are particularly dangerous in sensitive areas like the face or groin, and if they cover large areas. 

Electrical Burns

Although less common, electrical burns happen to kids all the time. These burns are typically caused by chewing cords, playing with wires, or inserting objects into electrical outlets. An electrical burn poses a different kind of danger than other types, as it can have internal effects on your organs. The symptoms of an electrical burn include: 

• Burned skin
• Headache
• Confusion
• Numbness
• Tingling
• Muscle contractions
• Racing heart

If your child has gotten an electrical burn, take them to the emergency department. 

Chemical Burns 

Chemical burns occur when a child’s skin is exposed to hard chemicals such as those in batteries, bleach, and other cleaners. Symptoms of chemical burns include:

• Pain or numbness of the affected area
• Redness
• Blisters
• Irritation 

These burns do not only affect the skin, as they can have severe consequences on the inside of the body if ingested. If you believe your child has swallowed a battery or ingested a dangerous chemical, call poison control immediately. 

Treating Minor Burns and Sunburn in Kids 

There are several treatment options for burns in kids depending on the type of burn that was sustained. 

Treating Sunburns

Due to the damaging nature of UVB rays, sunburns are easy to get. Luckily, there are a few different treatment options to help your little one feel better quickly. Best practices for treating sunburns in kids include: 

• Taking over-the-counter medications (children’s Motrin, Tylenol, etc.). 
• Have them take a cool bath, not cold, as it could further damage the skin. 
• Make sure your child is well-hydrated for 2-3 days after the burn. 
• Apply topical creams such as aloe vera and moisturizer. 
• Cover the burned area when going outside until fully healed.

Mild sunburns should take around one to three days to heal. If they are not healing after a few days, call your doctor to discuss further treatment methods. 

Treating Thermal Burns

For mild thermal burns, there are a few options that will alleviate pain and treat the burned area. These options include: 

• Cool the burn with cold water or a cold compress until it comes back to normal temperature. 
• Protect the burn by wrapping it in gauze until it is healed. 
• If there is a blister, do not break the surface. 
• Treat the area with topical creams.
• Take over-the-counter medications regularly to help with the pain. 

If your child has experienced a severe thermal burn, visit the emergency room immediately. 

Treating Other Burns In Kids

Electrical burns and chemical burns can be extremely serious, and it is best that you seek medical treatment if you believe your child has sustained these kinds of burns. Upon getting the burn, best practices consist of: 

• Taking off any contaminated clothing and washing the area with cool water. 
• Wrap the area with sterile gauze to reduce the risk of infection. 

Preventing Burns In Children

Burns are mostly preventable if the correct steps are taken. 

Preventing Sunburn

There is a multitude of ways to prevent sunburn in kids. To avoid your child getting sunburnt, try these methods: 

• Applying sunscreen thirty minutes before being exposed to sun rays, and reapplying every thirty to forty-five minutes. 
• Wearing protective clothing such as sun shirts, sun hats, etc. 
• Take breaks from sun exposure frequently. 

Preventing Other Burns In Children 

Generally, the best way to keep children safe from getting burned is to keep them away from any hot surfaces, dangerous chemicals, and electrical outlets. Ensure your child is supervised at all times, and that their play areas are free from any burn hazards.