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Burns

Burns in children can happen for many reasons. These include fires, touching hot things like radiators, hot drinks, sunburn, very cold temperatures, chemicals, and electric shocks.

The advice below should help you decide whether your child’s burn requires further help or whether it can be managed by yourself at home.

When should you worry?

If your child has any of the following:

  • A burn larger than the size of your child’s hand

  • White or charred skin

  • Blistered skin at the site of the burn

  • Burns to the face, neck, hands, feet, genitals or over any joints

  • A burn caused by a chemical or an electric shock

  • Inhaled any smoke or has any difficulty breathing

  • A temperature above 38°c or they become unwell following a burn

  • Child under 2

You need urgent help

Go to the nearest Hospital Emergency (A&E) Department or phone 999

If your child has any of the following:

  • Pain not getting better after painkillers

  • The skin around the burn is becoming more red and inflamed

You need to contact a doctor or nurse today

Please contact NHS 111 - Go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111, or attend your nearest Minor Injuries Unit 

Please commence the following first aid:

  • Remove your child from the source of heat, while keeping yourself safe

  • Remove any clothing/jewellery around the burn, unless stuck

  • Cool the burn under cold, running water for at least 20 minutes

  • Keep them warm with towels/blankets

 (111 online does not currently take questions about children aged under 5, so if your child is 4 or younger, please call 111).

If symptoms persist for 4 hours or more and you have not been able to speak to either a member of staff from your GP practice or to NHS 111 staff, recheck that your child has not developed any red features.

If none of the above features are present

Self care

Continue providing your child’s care at home – see below for tips on managing burns at home

What to do immediately if your child has a burn:

  • Remove the child from the source of heat as quickly as possible while avoiding getting burned yourself

  • Remove any clothing or jewellery, including nappies from the burned area UNLESS they are stuck to the burn as removing these could cause more damage

  • Cool the burn under cold running water for at least 20 minutes. Try to keep the rest of your child warm with blankets while doing so

Caring for burns at home:

  • Once cooled for at least 20 minutes as above - cover the burn with cling film to keep the burn clean and help relieve pain

  • Give simple pain relief like paracetamol or ibuprofen as required. Do not take more than the recommended dose on the instructions

  • Burns can look different as they heal, so keep an eye on it. If it starts to show any of the red or amber signs, get medical help right away

  • Your child’s hand, including fingers, is the same as roughly 1% of their body’s surface area. Any burns this size or bigger are an emergency and you need to call 999 or attend the nearest A&E

Do not:

  • Put ice on the burn

  • Put greasy or oily substances, such as butter or toothpaste on the burn

  • Cover the wound with anything fabric including bandages, plasters and cotton wool as these will stick to the burn and may be difficult or painful to remove

Where should you seek help?

For wear and tear, minor trips and everything in between

Self-care

You can treat your child's very minor illnesses and injuries at home.

Some illnesses can be treated in your own home with support and advice from the services listed when required, using the recommended medicines and getting plenty of rest.

Sound advice

Children can recover from illness quickly but also can become more poorly quickly; it is important to seek further advice if a child's condition gets worse.

For information on common childhood illnesses go to What is wrong with my child?

Pharmacists are experts in many aspects of healthcare and can offer advice on a wide range of long-term conditions and common illnesses such as coughs, colds and stomach upsets. You don’t need an appointment and many have private consultation areas, so they are a good first port of call. Your pharmacist will say if you need further medical attention.

Sound advice

  • Visit a pharmacy if your child is ill, but does not need to see a GP
  • Remember that if your child's condition gets worse, you should seek further medical advice immediately
  • Help your child to understand - watch this video with them about going to the pharmacy

For information on common childhood illnesses go to What is wrong with my child?

Health visitors are nurses or midwives who are passionate about promoting healthy lifestyles and preventing illness through the delivery of the Healthy Child Programme. They work with you through your pregnancy up until your child is ready to start school.

Health Visitors can also make referrals for you to other health professionals for example hearing or vision concerns or to the Community Paediatricians or to the child and adolescent mental health services.

Contact them by phoning your Health Visitor Team or local Children’s Centre.

Sound advice

Health visitors also provide advice, support and guidance in caring for your child, including:

  • Breastfeeding, weaning and healthy eating
  • Exercise, hygiene and safety
  • Your child’s growth and development
  • Emotional health and wellbeing, including postnatal depression
  • Safety in the home
  • Stopping smoking
  • Contraception and sexual health
  • Sleep and behaviour management (including temper tantrums!)
  • Toilet training
  • Minor illnesses

For more information watch the video: What does a health visitor do?

School nurses care for children and young people, aged 5-19, and their families, to ensure their health needs are supported within their school and community. They work closely with education staff and other agencies to support parents, carers and the children and young people, with physical and or emotional health needs.

Contacting the School Nurse

Primary and secondary schools have an allocated school nurse – telephone your child’s school to ask for the contact details of your named school nurse.

There is also a specialist nurse who works with families who choose to educate their children at home.

Sound Advice

Before your child starts school your health visitor will meet with the school nursing team to transfer their care to the school nursing service. The school nursing team consists of a school nursing lead, specialist public health practitioners and school health staff nurses.

They all have a role in preventing disease and promoting health and wellbeing, by:

  • encouraging healthier lifestyles
  • offering immunisations
  • giving information, advice and support to children, young people and their families
  • supporting children with complex health needs

Each member of the team has links with many other professionals who also work with children including community paediatricians, child and adolescent mental health teams, health visitors and speech and language therapists. The school health nursing service also forms part of the multi-agency services for children, young people and families where there are child protection or safeguarding issues.

GPs assess, treat and manage a whole range of health problems. They also provide health education, give vaccinations and carry out simple surgical procedures. Your GP will arrange a referral to a hospital specialist should you need it.

Sound advice

You have a choice of service:

  • Doctors or GPs can treat many illnesses that do not warrant a visit to A&E
  • Help your child to understand – watch this video with them about visiting the GP or going to a walk in centre

For information on common childhood illnesses go to What is wrong with my child?

If you’re not sure which NHS service you need, you can call 111 or use 111 online.

Please note that 111 online is for people aged 5 and over. Call 111 if you need help for a child under 5.

An adviser will ask you questions to assess your symptoms and then give you the advice you need, or direct you straightaway to the best service for you in your area.

Sound advice

Use NHS 111 if you are unsure what to do next, have any questions about a condition or treatment or require information about local health services

For information on common childhood illnesses go to What is wrong with my child?

A&E departments provide vital care for life-threatening emergencies, such as loss of consciousness, suspected heart attacks, breathing difficulties, or severe bleeding that cannot be stopped. If you’re not sure it’s an emergency, call 111 for advice.

Sound advice

  • Many visits to A&E and calls to 999 could be resolved by any other NHS services
  • If your child's condition is not critical, choose another service to get them the best possible treatment
  • Help your child to understand – watch this video with them about going to A&E or riding in an ambulance
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