Clinical Portal 2026Dr. Murali Gopal
Parent guide

Burns and Scalds

Simple, cautious first aid for hot water, steam, flame, contact, chemical, or electrical burns in children.

Parent GuideReviewed
Cool the burnRemove tight itemsCover looselyReview red flags

Dr. Murali Gopal

Senior Paediatrician & Paediatric Pulmonologist
MCR: 57489
MBBS, DCH(UK), MRCPCH(UK), FRCPCH(UK), CCT Paediatrics (UK), Fellow in Paediatric Pulmonology (Aus), Allergology (Ind)
Last reviewed: 1 July 2026

Early cooling and safe covering can reduce harm. Burns can look small at first and still need review, especially in young children or sensitive areas.

What parents may observe

A burn or scald may cause redness, pain, swelling, blistering, peeling, or pale/charred skin. Children may be very distressed, shivering, or quiet after the injury.

The seriousness depends on depth, size, location, age of the child, and the cause of the burn.

Simple first-aid principles

  • Move the child away from the heat source and keep yourself safe.
  • Cool the burned area under cool running water as soon as possible.
  • Remove jewellery, watches, belts, nappies, or tight clothing near the burn if they are not stuck to the skin.
  • Cover the area loosely with a clean non-fluffy cloth or clean dressing while seeking advice.
  • Keep the rest of the child warm and seek medical review if the burn is more than very minor.

What not to do

DoAvoid
Use cool running water and a clean loose cover.Do not use ice, butter, toothpaste, turmeric, oils, powders, or home remedies.
Leave stuck clothing in place for clinicians to manage.Do not pull off clothing or material stuck to burned skin.
Let a clinician assess blisters and deeper burns.Do not burst blisters or cut away skin.

When to seek urgent care

Seek urgent medical care or call emergency services for any of these situations:
  • Burn to the face, eyes, ears, hands, feet, genitals, joints, or around the chest/neck.
  • Large burn, deep burn, white/charred skin, severe pain, or reduced feeling.
  • Electrical burn, chemical burn, flame burn, smoke inhalation, or breathing difficulty.
  • Burn in a baby or very young child, or any burn where the child seems unwell.
  • Concern that the injury story does not fit the burn pattern.

Medical disclaimer

General education only This guide does not replace emergency care, burn assessment, wound dressing, pain management, tetanus/rabies decisions, or advice from your paediatrician or emergency team.

References

  1. Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne. Kids Health Info: Burns. Accessed 22 May 2026.
  2. NHS. Burns and scalds guidance. Accessed 22 May 2026.
  3. American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org. Burn prevention and care guidance. Accessed 22 May 2026.
  4. World Health Organization. Burns fact sheet. Accessed 22 May 2026.

Last reviewed: 1 July 2026.

Medical review

Reviewed byDr. Murali Gopal

Last reviewed2026-07-01

Medical review statusClinician reviewed

ReferencesRCH Kids Health Info burns guidance; NHS burns and scalds guidance; American Academy of Pediatrics HealthyChildren burn prevention and care guidance; WHO burns fact sheet

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This parent guide is for general education only and does not replace consultation with your child’s paediatrician. Please seek medical care urgently if your child appears seriously unwell, has breathing difficulty, poor feeding, dehydration, altered responsiveness, or if you are worried.

© Dr. Murali Gopal | For Patient Education Only This educational material is intended for parent and patient education. Reproduction, redistribution, or modification without permission is not allowed.