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KidsCare Online

Burns

Pain Medicine:
- For pain, apply cold compresses and give acetaminophen or ibuprofen for a few days.
- See dosage chart.
- Ask your pharmacist to recommend a pediatric brand containing either of these ingredients.
Cleansing:
- Wash the area gently with warm water once a day. Avoid soap unless the burn is dirty. (Reason: soaps can slow healing.)
- Apply a burn ointment recommended by your pharmacist and cover the injury with a dry, sterile dressing, such as a non-sticking gauze pad.
- Continue this self-treatment and change the dressing daily, until the burn is no longer painful, which indicates healing has begun.
Blisters: Don't open any small closed blisters - the outer skin protects the burn from infection.
Antibiotic Ointment: For open burns, apply an over-the-counter (OTC) antibiotic ointment and cover with a band-aid. Change the band-aid every other day. Use warm water and 1 or 2 gentle wipes with a wet washcloth to remove any surface debris (loose, crusty scabs or dirt).
Expected Course: It will probably hurt for 2 days and peel like a sunburn in about a week. Fortunately, first- and second-degree burns don't leave scars.
IF your child becomes worse: Review Should I Call? recommendations.