What are common pediatric burns and how do I handle them?

Pediatric burns constitute the largest percentage of accidental burn injuries — most occur in the kitchen or bathroom and are preventable.

Common Types of Burns in Children:

• Hot liquid burns (most common): Tea, coffee, boiling water, frying oil. Child reaches up or pulls the cup.
• Contact burns: Oven, iron, heater. Child touches a hot surface out of curiosity.
• Hot bathwater burns: Excessively hot bath water — especially for infants.

Correct First Aid:

1. Remove child from the source immediately.
2. Cool running water for 20 minutes — not ice (ice causes cold burns). This is the most important step — even if the child cries.
3. Remove clothing gently — if stuck, don't force removal.
4. Cover with clean moist gauze — not cotton (sticks).
5. Don't apply: Toothpaste, butter, egg, honey — myths that cause infection.

When to Go to Hospital:

• Burn larger than the child's palm.
• Burn on face, hands, or genitals.
• Circumferential burn (wrapping around a finger or limb).
• Any burn in an infant under one year.

At BEIT TARIQ Center, we treat pediatric burns with advanced techniques that minimize pain and scarring.