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Burns: types and treatments
A burn is an injury to the skin, mostly caused by How do I treat a minor burn?
heat, but can also be caused by chemicals or •• Run cool (not cold) water over the burn or put
electricity. It can also harm or destroy muscle, a cool, clean rag on the burn for 3–5 minutes.
tissue, and bone under the skin. Do not use ice.
Children have thinner skin which burns at a lower •• Use an antiseptic spray or cream to help stop pain
temperature and in less time than adult skin. Protect and prevent infection.
your child by learning about the different types of •• Cover the burn with a clean (sterile), dry dressing.
burns and how to treat them.
If the burn is not healing, is draining, or has a foul
What are the different types smell, call your child’s healthcare provider.
of burns?
Most people think of burns in degrees: first, second,
and third. Doctors and nurses use these terms to talk
about how thick and how bad the burn is. A first-
degree burn can be minor or moderate. This depends
on how much of the body the burn covers and how
deep it is. The chart in figure 1 explains the different
types of burns.

Degree Cause Surface Color Pain level Healing time

First (superficial) Sunburn, scald, Dry, no blisters Pink Painful 2–5 days with peeling.
flash flame Will not scar, but may
be discolored

Second (partial Hot liquids or Moist blisters Pink to cherry Painful Superficial: 5–21 days
thickness) solids, flash red
flame, chemical Deep with no
fires infection: 21–35 days

Infected: Treated as
third-degree burns

Third (full Hot liquids or Dry, leathery, White, waxy, No pain; Skin grafts needed.
thickness) solids, flame, charred blood pearly, dark nerve Large areas may need
chemical or vessels khaki, endings are months to heal; small
electrical fires mahogany dead areas may heal with
skin grafts in weeks

Figure 1 1
When should I take my child to the How do I treat electrical burns?
hospital for a burn? •• Disconnect the source of electricity, or call the
Your child should be treated in a burn center if power company for help if you can’t disconnect
they have: it. Do not touch your child if they are in contact
with electricity. You will be injured.
•• A major burn, larger than the width of an arm
(or two fist sizes) •• Once you have disconnected the electricity, check
to see if your child is breathing. If your child is
•• A burn on the face, hands, neck, groin, or feet not breathing, call 911 and start CPR.
•• Inhaled smoke •• Check your child for other injuries.
Burns often affect the systems or organs of the body. •• Cover the burn with a clean dressing or bandage,
A team of healthcare providers will examine your and keep your child warm.
child and make sure there are no other problems.
How do I treat chemical burns?
How do I treat a severe burn before •• Pour cool water over the burn site for 5 minutes.
my child goes to the hospital? Be careful not to flush chemicals into parts of the
•• Stop the burning or remove the source of heat. body that were not contaminated.
If your child’s clothes are on fire, have them stop,
drop, and roll to put out the flames. •• Remove your child’s clothing.

•• Make sure your child is breathing. If your child is •• If your child wears contact lenses, remove them
not breathing, call 911 and start CPR. before flushing their eyes.

•• Pour cool (not cold) water over the burned area. •• Read the label on the chemical or call Poison
Keep pouring the cool water for at least 3–5 Control (1.800.222.1222) before giving your
minutes (30–40 minutes if the burn is from a child first aid for specific chemicals.
chemical). Do not put ice on the burned area. •• If your child swallows chemicals, take them to the
This could make the burn worse and make your emergency room immediately. Bring the poison
child’s body temperature too cold. your child swallowed with you if you know what
•• Remove all burned clothes and anything around it is. Do not let your child eat or drink anything.
your child’s neck, including jewelry. Burned areas
Notes
swell quickly, and clothes may retain heat and
cause more harm.
•• Take off your child’s jewelry, belt, or anything
that touches the burned areas.
•• Cover burns with a soft, clean dressing, bandage,
or sheet.
•• Keep your child warm.
Never put ointments or butter on severe burns.
The oil in these products may cause infection and
make the burn worse.

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