Health Topics for Child Health and Development

UI Children's Hospital

UI Family Care Centers

Divisions Within the Department of Pediatrics

Iowa Registry for Congenital and Inherited Disorders

Burns in children

A scald is a burn from a hot liquid or steam. These injuries are the second most common cause of serious burn injuries in children. Children less than 5 years of age are more likely to get scald injuries. An infant's reflexes do not respond quickly to hot temperature threats. Common threats to children are bath or shower water and sink faucets.

In severe burns always check the ABCs: airway, breathing and circulation (pulse). A significant clue to inhalation injury is difficulty breathing.

Scald burns can range from reddened skin to massive blisters and oozing of fluid. Serious scald burns that cover a large area of the body can threaten a child's life.

First aid for scald burns includes:

• immerse the burned area of an extremity in cool water, apply cool compresses to burns of the trunk or face, and continue until the child does not seem to be in pain (about 30 minutes)
• do not break blisters
• do not apply ice, butter, oil, or any salves and
• after soaking in cool water, cover the area with a non-stick bandage

See a doctor immediately for:

• any burns on the face, hands, feet, or genitals or
• any burn injury to a child less than 5 years old

Scald burns can be prevented. Follow these tips:

• keep the water temperature on your hot water heater set between 120 and 125 degrees Fahrenheit (48.9 and 51.7 degrees Centigrade)
• install a thermoregulator device on sink and tub faucets and showerheads that prevents any water that is hotter than 120 degrees Fahrenheit (48.9 degrees Centigrade) from flowing out of the faucet.
• check bath water with the inside of your wrist or forearm before immersing an infant or child
• never leave an infant or young child alone in the bathtub or shower
• teach children to turn on cold water faucets first before hot water faucets
• turn handles of cooking pots and utensils toward the back of the stove
• never leave containers of hot liquids or foods near the edges of tables or counters
• keep tablecloth edges out of a child's reach
• never pour hot liquids when a child is underfoot
• never carry hot liquids or foods near your child or while holding the child
• check food that has been warmed in a microwave before feeding the child and
• use a cool mist humidifier, not a hot mist one

Prevention of other types of burns includes:

• smoke and fire safety alarms
• prevent contact burns from stoves, ovens, irons and
• adults should not smoke in bed

Last Reviewed 2005

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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