Caring for your child after a burn or scald injury
Date issued: May 2025
For review: May 2027
Ref: A-365/IP/Child Health/ Caring for you child after a burn or scald injury v2
PDF: Caring for your child after a burn or scald injury.pdf [pdf] 295KB
Your child’s dressing will protect the wound while healing takes place. To reduce the risk of infection, try to keep the dressing clean and dry. Do not remove them unless you are instructed to. Please contact the hospital or Outreach Nurse for advice if you are concerned.
A wound infection requires urgent treatment. It is important to be aware of the signs of infection:
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High temperature
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Skin rash
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Vomiting and/or diarrhoea
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Increased redness and or swelling
Please contact the team if you notice any of these signs or attend your local Emergency Department who will then contact Plymouth’s Burn Service for further advice.
Pain and itching
If your child is in pain they may need pain relief, such as Paracetamol or Ibuprofen. Please follow the instructions on the bottle. If the pain does not settle with regular analgesia please contact the hospital. Itching can be an uncomfortable symptom during the burn healing: it should improve when the burn has healed. Regular Chlorphenamine (e.g. Piriton®) and keeping the child cool can help. If the itching does not improve, please contact the team.
Creaming and hygiene
All healed areas will need to be washed and moisturised twice a day to prevent drying, cracking and becoming sore. You should use a non-perfumed moisturiser e.g. E45®, Aveeno®. You will be shown how to moisturise when the burn is healed.
Sunscreen
It is very important that healed burn wounds are protected from the sun for at least 2 years. Your child should wear a 50-factor sunscreen and wear protective clothing over the injured area, as the new skin will burn quickly and may blister. If it becomes tanned, this can be permanent and blotchy.
Scarring
After a burn injury there is a risk of scarring if healing is delayed. If the area becomes red, raised, hard and itchy scarring may be developing. If the burn took over 2-3 weeks to heal or the burn was grafted, you will be referred to our scar management team at the hospital. If you are worried about scarring, please contact the team or the Outreach Nurse.
Skin colour change
Skin colour changes are common after a burn. It may go redder when your child is hot, angry or upset, and go bluish when cold. This will settle in time.
Blisters and small wounds
Small wounds and blisters are not uncommon on newly healed areas. Treat with a small dressing and seek advice if concerned.
Social support
If you have concerns about your child returning to school or nursery, please contact the Outreach Nurse. You could also ask for help from your Health Visitor or GP. If you are worried about how your child is coping, you can be referred to a psychologist. They can help you, your child and family with any concerns and worries relating to the burn and find ways to cope.
Frenchay After Burns Children’s Club
This is an independent charity available to all children who have sustained a burn or scald injury. It provides day trips, family days out, parties and camps; all aimed at building confidence and self-esteem. You will meet other people who have been through similar experiences. Please apply online: visit Frenchay After Burns Childrens Club
