How to treat your toddler’s burn

Burns are defined by the severity of the damage done to the skin as well as the depth that the burn penetrates and destroys layers of skin.

Burns can range in size as well as severity and are classified as follows…

Superficial burns

Superficial burns occur when the skin is red, sore and inflamed but the layers of the skin are not damaged. This type of burn can be caused from;

• Mild sunburn
• Steam
• Touching a hot object

If your toddler has a superficial burn, the first thing to do would be to run the burnt area under the tap for five to ten minutes. Once the inflammation has calmed down, a multi-purpose burn cream should be applied every two hours. The cream will cool the burn and alleviate the pain. You should continue to apply the cream twice daily, reduced to daily until the burn is completely healed.

Partial thickness burn

Partial thickness burns involve blistering and damage to the the epidermal layer of the skin  which may cause the skin to peel. This type of burn could be caused by;

• Boiling water
• Hot oil
• Cooking accidents involving toffee or hot wax on the stove

It’s important that you never pop or burst the blisters or pull the skin off. Also, never apply butter, toothpaste or polish to any partial thickness burn wounds.

Cool the wound under cold water as soon as possible for up to 15 minutes, until the pain goes away. Take care not to open the tap too big, as the force of the water might burst the blisters.

After cleaning the skin (with cooled boiling water or saline solution), an aseptic dressing should be applied.

As with a superficial burn, a multi-purpose cream should be applied as soon as possible. These creams are designed to repair and regenerate the skin, assisting in the formation of new granulation tissue.

It’s important that you keep the burn covered while it is healing so as to avoid infection.

Full thickness burn

Full thickness burns involve damage to the dermal layer and the skin may bleed.

This type of burn can be caused by;

• Boiling water
• Heaters
• Stoves
• Gas

For any partial or full thickness burns, a doctor or emergency room should be consulted. Your toddler may go into shock or loose fluid and this could be life threatening. Infections can also occur which can be prevented by seeing a healthcare provider at a medical facility.

Never use butter, any fatty or oily substance to treat a burn.

About the Author:
Sister Jenny’s JEN-TIL Multi-Purpose Healing Cream  is made from all natural ingredients that are non-harmful, non-toxic and are in a dosage that is ideal for safety. For more information, visit www.jentiltouch.com

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