Introduction
You have been provided with this leaflet because your child has attended with a burn or a scald. This leaflet will provide you with information on how to care for your child’s burn at home.
If you have any questions or if there is anything you do not understand about this leaflet, please contact:
Children’s Assessment Unit on 02476 865631
George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust switchboard number: 02476 351351
Caring for your child’s burn
Your child will have a dressing covering the area of the burn which aims to keep the area clean and dry and help prevent infection. This will need to be changed regularly until the burn is fully healed. The nurse or doctor will advise you when this needs to be done and who will change the dressing. It is important that your child keeps the dressing on. Most children do not have much pain when the dressing is applied.
If possible, encourage your child to raise the area where the burn is as this will help to reduce any swelling. Burns can be very painful for a child of any age. It is important to give regular pain relief which is usually paracetamol and ibuprofen however in some cases, it may be something prescribed by your doctor. Follow the instructions for pain relief as directed on the bottle.
Paracetamol given at: ……………………………..
Paracetamol next due at: ………………………….
Ibuprofen given at: ………………………………….
Ibuprofen next due at: ………………………………
Encourage your child to eat and drink plenty of fluids. To help the skin heal you need to encourage your child to eat more protein and vitamins. These can include things like dairy products, milk, yogurts, custard, cheese; meat and fish; eggs and fresh fruit and vegetables.
When to seek advice
Ensure you seek advice if:
- The dressing becomes too tight
- The dressing becomes wet or dirty
- The dressing becomes loose or falls off
- Fluid from the wound leaks through the bandage/dressing
- Pain medication does not relieve your child’s pain
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George Eliot Hospital is a smoke free environment. For help and advice to stop smoking you can call the national helpline on 0300 123 1044 or visit https://
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