We have all experienced burns, but when a baby gets burned, it can leave parents feeling helpless. If not handled properly, it can lead to more trouble. So what is the correct way to handle a burn on a child?
Should You Burst Blisters After a Burn?
If the blister is not painful, leave it as it is. Most blisters will heal naturally and do not need to be drained. This is because the intact skin covering the blister acts as a protective barrier, preventing infection.
After a few days, the body will absorb the fluid (serum) inside the blister, and it will eventually disappear. If the blister is not painful, this is the best option as it minimizes the risk of infection.
If the blister bursts on its own, allow the fluid to drain, clean the area thoroughly, and then cover it with a dry, sterile bandage until it heals. This will promote healing and prevent infection.
Common Mistakes in Treating Baby Burns
1. Failure to cool the burn immediately: The importance and purpose of cooling the burn have already been mentioned. It is crucial to remember this for the sake of our babies.
2. Applying toothpaste to the burn: Although some toothpaste contains cooling ingredients, the secondary harm it can cause to a baby far outweighs any benefits.
3. Neglecting disinfection: The injured skin has already lost its normal function, so even a slight amount of bacteria can cause the burn to become inflamed. This not only makes recovery difficult but may also leave scars on the baby.
4. Mishandling blisters: The blistered skin acts as a protective barrier to prevent contamination of the wound. If the burn has blisters, do not rush to remove the skin covering the blister. This layer of old skin can help the wound heal one to two days faster.
Correct Steps to Take After a Child Gets Burned
1. Immediate cooling
If a baby accidentally gets burned, the first step is to rinse the injured area with clean, clean, clean (important enough to be said three times) cool water for about twenty minutes before blisters form. Remember, the cooler the water, the better, but do not go below 5 degrees Celsius to avoid catching a cold.
This step is crucial to lower the temperature and prevent residual heat from hot water causing harm to the baby!
2. Disinfection
After the cooling process mentioned above, the next step is to disinfect the burned area. Disinfection can be done using iodine or saline solution.
