After a Partial-Thickness Burn: How to Care for Your Child

Your child's burn is called a partial-thickness burn (also known as a second-degree burn). With proper care, most of these burns heal well.

• Give your child all medicines prescribed by the health care provider as directed.

• If your health care provider did not prescribe pain medicine and your child is uncomfortable, these medicines can help:

  • acetaminophen (such as Tylenol® or a store brand)OR

  • ibuprofen (such as Advil®, Motrin® or a store brand). Don't give to babies under 6 months old.

• Don't give aspirin to your child or teen, as it can be dangerous.

• Some burns may blister. Don't pop or break the blisters.

• Depending on the size and depth of the burn, the health care provider may have applied a dressing. This covers the burn and keeps it clean and dry. If your health care provider recommended dressing changes:

  • It can help to give pain medicine 30 minutes before changing the dressing.

  • Change the dressing as you have been shown according to the schedule from your health care provider.

  • Wash the burn gently with mild soap and lukewarm water and gently pat dry with clean gauze. 

  • If your health care provider recommended it, spread a layer of antibiotic ointment over the burn before covering it with the dressing.

  • If you were instructed to, change the dressing if it becomes wet.

• Give your child plenty of fluids to drink.

• Offer your child healthy, high-calorie meals with protein-rich foods like meat, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, nuts, seeds and soy products.

• Schedule a follow-up appointment as directed.

• Talk to your health care provider about when your child should return to school and other activities.

Your child has:

• a fever higher than 101ºF (38.3ºC)

• increased redness, swelling, warmth or drainage coming from the burn area

• a bad odor in the burn area

• pain or itching not controlled by medicine

• a decreased appetite or drinks less

• a burn that is not beginning to heal after 10 days

Your child:

• has severe pain

• appears dehydrated. Signs of dehydration include:

  • a dry or sticky mouth

  • peeing less than usual

  • crying with little or no tears

  • dizziness or drowsiness

  • sunken eyes

What is a partial-thickness burn? Skin has three layers: the epidermis (outer layer), dermis (middle layer), and subcutaneous tissue (bottom layer). A burn can be:

• superficial (also called first-degree): affects only the outer layer. This will cause redness, pain and minor swelling. The skin will be dry with no blisters. It will take 3 to 6 days to heal, and skin may peel.

• partial-thickness (also called second-degree): affects both the outer and middle layers. This will cause redness, pain, swelling and blisters, and the skin may look wet. Healing time may vary, but usually takes up to 3 weeks or more. If deep enough, it may leave a scar.

• full-thickness (also called third-degree or fourth-degree): affects all layers of the skin, and sometimes underlying tissues. The burned area will look dry and can appear waxy white, leathery, brown or charred. There may little or no pain due to nerve damage. Healing time varies, and these burns may need to be treated with surgery.

How will skin look and feel when the burn has healed? Burned skin may itch as it heals. It may be a different color from the skin around it, and a scar may develop if the burn was deep. It can be more sensitive to the sun and can get sunburned more easily. The sun also can make a healed burn look darker than the skin around it. So it's important to protect the skin with clothing or sunscreen when your child goes outside.

How can I prevent a burn from happening again?

• Keep hot liquids, matches, lighters and lit candles out of reach.

• Set the thermostat on your hot water heater to 120°F (49°C), use the "low-medium" setting, or install an anti-scald device. Always test bath water with your wrist or elbow before putting your child in the bath.

• Turn pot handles away from the stove's edge while cooking.

• Always supervise children when they cook, even when using the microwave.

• Never hold a baby or small child while cooking or drinking hot beverages.

• Test all heated drinks and foods before serving them.

• Use safety covers for electrical outlets.

• Apply sunscreen before children go outside.

• Have a smoke detector and fire extinguisher on each floor of your home and in the kitchen. Make sure you know how to use a fire extinguisher.