{"id":30025,"date":"2026-02-19T08:00:01","date_gmt":"2026-02-19T08:00:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/?p=30025"},"modified":"2026-02-19T09:29:14","modified_gmt":"2026-02-19T09:29:14","slug":"burned-child-how-to-respond","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/blog\/infant\/burned-child-how-to-respond\/","title":{"rendered":"Burned child : how to respond in the event of a burn?"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Burns in children are a common household accident that can happen very quickly, often in everyday situations: a liquid that is too hot, a hot object, bath water that is too warm\u2026 Is it serious? Should you seek medical care? What should you do right away?<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Burned child<\/strong>: here\u2019s what you need to know.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h2><b>Burned child:<\/b><b> warning signs you should not ignore<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A burn is damage to the skin affecting the epidermis and sometimes the dermis. It is a skin injury that can develop into an infection if not properly treated. Depending on its depth and the body surface area involved, a burn can be <strong>superficial or deep<\/strong>, and may cause a local inflammatory reaction with redness, pain, irritation, or itching.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your child has been burned and you are in one of the following situations, do not hesitate,<\/span> <strong>call 911 immediately<\/strong> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Age<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: your child is under 1 year old.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Location of the burn<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: face, throat, hands, skin folds, genitals.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Size of the burn<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the burned area is<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> greater than 5% of the body surface (about 5 of your child\u2019s handprints) for a child under 5 years old or 10% (about 10 handprints) for a child over 5 years old.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Appearance of the burn<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: if your child\u2019s skin looks white or black and has a leathery appearance. This is called a third-degree burn.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Cause of the burn<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: electrical (electrocution), chemical, fire, or explosion.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To assess the severity of a burn, it is helpful to know the different degrees and their symptoms:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>First-degree burn<\/strong>: red, painful skin without blisters.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Second-degree burn<\/strong>: red skin with blisters and significant pain.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Third-degree burn<\/strong>: white or black skin. The burn may sometimes be less painful because the nerve endings have been damaged. The depth of the burn requires urgent medical care.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A word from pediatrician Emmanuelle Rondeleux:<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cDo not judge the severity of a burn based on how much pain your child is in. A deep burn may hurt relatively little and vice versa. Assessing severity based solely on pain can be misleading.\u201d<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As always, call 911 if you notice any of the following symptoms:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Behavior<\/strong> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: your child is lethargic, drowsy, irritable, or has a fever. They are not acting as usual. They sleep a lot and are difficult to wake.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Color<\/strong> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: they are very pale, have dark circles under their eyes, their eyes appear sunken, or their skin looks mottled.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Breathing<\/strong> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: they are having trouble breathing or are breathing rapidly.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Want to learn more? Feel free to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/app.adjust.com\/1pblulz8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">download the May app<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, where you&#8217;ll find plenty of resources to support and guide you throughout your journey as a new parent.<\/span> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-30008\" src=\"https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/girl-crying-in-her-grandmother-s-arms-2026-01-05-05-51-41-utc.webp\" alt=\"Burned child: how to react in case of a burn? - May App Health\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/girl-crying-in-her-grandmother-s-arms-2026-01-05-05-51-41-utc.webp 1000w, https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/girl-crying-in-her-grandmother-s-arms-2026-01-05-05-51-41-utc-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/girl-crying-in-her-grandmother-s-arms-2026-01-05-05-51-41-utc-768x512.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\r\n<h2><b>What should you do if your child gets burned?<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You are dealing with a first-degree burn (red skin, typically sunburn) or a limited second-degree burn (red skin + blisters). Here are the first aid steps to follow:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Remove your child from the source of heat.<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Remove clothing<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> around the burned area. If clothing is stuck to the skin, cut around it and do not pull it off.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Place the burned area (even if clothing is stuck) <\/span><strong>under lukewarm running water<\/strong> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(59\u00b0F \/ 15\u00b0C) for at least 15 minutes and as long as the burn is painful. This helps limit the spread of the burn. Lukewarm water is recommended for your child\u2019s comfort, as 15 minutes under cold water could lead to hypothermia. While cooling the burn, make sure to cover the rest of your child\u2019s body to keep them warm.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pat dry gently without rubbing.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Relieve pain by giving your child acetaminophen (Tylenol\u00ae, etc.).<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In case of simple redness, you may apply a soothing and moisturizing ointment such as Biafine<\/span><b>\u00ae<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or Flammazine<\/span><b>\u00ae<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (use with caution under 2 years old) and cover if necessary with a sterile non-stick dressing.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seek medical advice if you suspect a second-degree burn.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If in doubt, if symptoms worsen, or if the burn has not healed after one week, it is important to seek medical care.<\/span> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-30012\" src=\"https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/delighted-father-spending-fun-time-with-his-little-2026-01-09-07-59-43-utc.webp\" alt=\"Burned child: how to react in case of a burn? - May App Health\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/delighted-father-spending-fun-time-with-his-little-2026-01-09-07-59-43-utc.webp 1000w, https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/delighted-father-spending-fun-time-with-his-little-2026-01-09-07-59-43-utc-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/delighted-father-spending-fun-time-with-his-little-2026-01-09-07-59-43-utc-768x512.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\r\n<h2><b>Burned child:<\/b><b> what not to do<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your child has been burned, certain actions may make the situation worse. It is important to:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Do not<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong> remove<\/strong> clothing or jewelry stuck to the skin.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Do not<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong> pop<\/strong> any blisters.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Do not apply<\/strong> cotton that could stick to the skin.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Do not use<\/strong> ice or ice water, which could further damage the skin.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Do not<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong> apply<\/strong> oil, butter, or any food product to the burn.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Do not put<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Betadine<\/span><b>\u00ae<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or Eosin<\/span><b>\u00ae<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on the burn.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Do not<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong> apply<\/strong> a paraffin gauze dressing (green).<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Warning<\/strong>: antibiotics are not automatically required and should only be used in cases of confirmed infection and with a medical prescription.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"--tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 \/ .5); --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-text-opacity: 1;\"><b style=\"--tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 \/ .5); --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-30016\" style=\"--tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 \/ .5); --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; width: 1009.6px;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/a-woman-is-hugging-a-child-and-holding-a-stuffed-a-2026-01-08-07-11-32-utc.webp\" alt=\"Burned child: how to react in case of a burn? - May App Health\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/a-woman-is-hugging-a-child-and-holding-a-stuffed-a-2026-01-08-07-11-32-utc.webp 1000w, https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/a-woman-is-hugging-a-child-and-holding-a-stuffed-a-2026-01-08-07-11-32-utc-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.may.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/a-woman-is-hugging-a-child-and-holding-a-stuffed-a-2026-01-08-07-11-32-utc-768x512.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/b><b style=\"--tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 \/ .5); --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000;\"><\/b><\/p>\r\n<h2><b>What are the right habits to prevent burns in children?<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Burns in children most often happen during everyday activities<\/strong>, sometimes in just a few seconds. Constant supervision and a few simple precautions can effectively prevent these household accidents and protect your child from risks related to heat, electricity, or the sun.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h3><b>Burned child:<\/b><b> beware of hot liquids<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Burns caused by hot liquids are the most common. Be especially careful with:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Bath water temperature: <\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">it should be 98.6\u00b0F (37\u00b0C). Finish filling the tub with cold water and never leave your child alone in the bath. They could turn on the hot water and get burned.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Hot liquids in the kitchen<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: turn pot handles toward the wall and keep kettles and deep fryers out of reach.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Very hot drinks<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Avoid heating bottles in the microwave.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Always check the temperature of the milk. Shake the bottle and pour a few drops on your wrist.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do not leave a cup of hot tea or coffee on a low table within a child\u2019s reach.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Good to know: if your child swallows a liquid that is too hot, it is important to quickly cool the digestive tract by immediately giving a bottle of cool water.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h3><b>Burned child: objects that pose a burn risk<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many objects can be dangerous and should be <strong>put away quickly after use<\/strong>:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">irons, stovetops, and burners that remain hot after being turned off,<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">unprotected electrical outlets and light bulbs,<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">chemical products,<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">plugged-in extension cords,<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">secure access to the oven and fireplace,<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">never use alcohol or gasoline on a barbecue,<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">do not leave candles, lighters, or matches within your child\u2019s reach.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Warning<\/strong>: electrical burns can cause <strong>internal injuries that may be serious and progressive<\/strong>. Even if your child is conscious and seems fine, a medical evaluation is always necessary and should be done immediately. If your child is still in contact with electricity, turn off the power at the breaker before touching them.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finally, one of the best ways to prevent burns is to avoid exposing your child to the sun. Their skin and eyes are particularly sensitive. Sunscreen should have an SPF of at least <strong>50+<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In summary, burns are among the most common household accidents in children, but a few simple habits can truly make a difference. Knowing how to recognize risky situations, applying the right first aid measures quickly, and seeking medical advice when in doubt can help limit complications, relieve pain, and promote proper healing. If you are unsure, do not hesitate to consult your doctor.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>**<\/p>\r\n<p>Photo credits: westend61 | sokorspace | FamilyStock<\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This text was translated from French by an artificial intelligence. The information, advice, and sources it contains comply with French standards and may therefore not apply to your situation. Make sure to complement this reading by visiting the May US\/UK app and consulting the healthcare professionals who are supporting you.<\/span><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Burns in children are a common household accident that can happen very quickly, often in everyday situations: a liquid that is too hot, a hot object, bath water that is too warm\u2026 Is it serious? Should you seek medical care? What should you do right away? Burned child: here\u2019s what you need to know. Burned [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":10409,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[196,197,199],"tags":[144],"class_list":["post-30025","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-infant","category-baby-6-12-months","category-baby-1-year","tag-baby-health"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30025","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/23"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30025"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30025\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":30029,"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30025\/revisions\/30029"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10409"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30025"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=30025"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=30025"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}