Burns and Scalds in Children: What to Do Right Away

First aid for a heat burn

1. Move your child away from the heat if you can do so safely. If their clothes are on fire, have them stop, drop, and roll, or smother the flames with a blanket.
2. Remove hot or wet clothing, diapers, and jewelry near the burn if they come off easily. Leave any material stuck to the skin in place.
3. Cool the burned area under cool running tap water. Aim for 20 minutes. Start right away. Cooling can still help if started within 3 hours, as long as it does not delay needed care. If running water is unavailable, a clean cloth dampened with cool water can help until you can get to a tap. Re-wet it often.
4. Keep the rest of your child warm. Cool only the burn, and cover the rest of the body. If your child starts shivering or feels cold, pause cooling and warm them.
5. Cover the burn loosely after cooling. Use a clean, nonstick dressing or a clean, smooth cloth. Plain plastic wrap can be laid loosely over a heat burn as a temporary cover. Keep it off the face and do not wind it around a limb.

Avoid ice, ice water, butter, oils, toothpaste, and other home remedies. Leave blisters intact. Keep adhesive bandages, cotton balls, and fluffy fabric off the burn. Ask a clinician before applying creams or ointments to a blistered burn.

When to get medical care

Get prompt medical advice if a burn blisters, if your child is a baby or toddler, or if you cannot tell how serious the burn is. Burns can look worse over time.

Get urgent in-person care for a blistering burn larger than your child's palm, a burn on the face, ears, hands, feet, genitals, buttocks, or over a joint, or a burn that goes all the way around a limb, finger, or the chest. Chemical and electrical injuries also need prompt guidance and may need emergency evaluation.

Deep burns can look white, waxy, leathery, brown, or black. They sometimes hurt less than expected. Use the guide to choosing the right level of care for more help deciding where to go.

Chemical burns

Protect yourself from the chemical. Remove contaminated clothing and gently brush off any dry chemical before rinsing the skin. Use plenty of room-temperature running water for at least 15 minutes, unless product-specific instructions direct otherwise. If a chemical gets in an eye, start rinsing immediately with room-temperature water for 15 to 20 minutes.

In the U.S., call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 for guidance on the specific product and where to get care. Keep the product container or label handy. Call 911 if your child collapses, has a seizure, has trouble breathing, or cannot be awakened.

Electrical injuries

Do not touch your child while they are still in contact with a power source. Shut off the power if it is safe to do so. Stay clear of downed power lines and call 911.

Have an electrical burn checked promptly even if it looks small. An electrical injury can damage tissue beneath the skin. A burn at the corner of the mouth from biting a cord also needs prompt evaluation and can bleed days later.

Caring for a small burn

A small burn that is only red and sore, without blisters or any of the warning signs above, can often be cared for at home. Keep it clean and cover it loosely with a nonstick dressing if needed to protect it from rubbing.

Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help with pain when appropriate for your child's age and weight. Follow the package directions or ask your child's doctor or pharmacist. Do not give ibuprofen to a baby younger than 6 months unless a clinician recommends it. See the Fever in Children guide for weight-based dosing information.

Call your child's doctor if pain, redness, or swelling is getting worse, if you see pus, notice a bad smell, or see red streaks spreading from the burn, or if your child develops a fever or seems unwell. Have the burn checked if it has not healed after about 2 weeks.

Preventing burns and scalds

• Keep hot drinks, soup, and noodles away from table and counter edges. Skip tablecloths that a child can pull. Avoid holding a child while cooking or drinking something hot.
• Use back burners when possible and turn pot handles toward the back of the stove. Keep kettle and coffee-maker cords out of reach.
• Set the water heater to 120°F (49°C) or lower. Test bath water before your child gets in.
• Keep irons, hair tools, and their cords out of reach, including while they cool. Use an appropriate barrier around hot fireplace glass.
• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, test them monthly, and practice a family escape plan.
• Store cleaning products, drain cleaners, and detergent pods locked up and out of reach.

The bottom line

Move your child away from the heat. Cool the burned area under cool running water, keep the rest of your child warm, and cover the burn loosely. Get medical help when needed and call 911 immediately for emergency signs.