Looking after a child with dressings on burns or scalds
Your child has received a burn or scald which has been covered with a dressing
to prevent infection.
It is extremely important to keep the Dressing dry at all times.
Here are a few points to help you care for
your child during this time:
• Offer your child plenty of fluids to drink.
• Paracetamol as advised by the nurse or doctor should be given regularly to ease the pain.
• It is also recommended that you give Paracetamol as advised by the nurse or doctor before returning for a new dressing.
You will need to return to the Accident and Emergency Department or see your GP as
soon as possible if:
• Your child develops a temperature above 37.6 degrees centigrade, rash, loss of appetite or diarrhoea as these are possible signs of infection.
• The affected area becomes swollen or the joints become stiff.
• There is a foul smell from the dressing.
• The dressing gets wet, slips out of place or becomes too tight.
Follow Up
You will be given an appointment to attend an Accident and Emergency Clinic or advised to
visit your GP Practice Nurse.
After Care Of Burn Or Scald
When hospital/GP treatment of your child’s burn or scald is completed, the following
advice will help you care for the affected area and promote healing.
A rich moisturising cream, for example E45, should be well massaged in to the
affected area 3-4 times a day to keep the skin supple.
It may be necessary to continue this for 6-12 months.
For the first 12 months you will also need to protect the affected area from direct
sunlight. In areas not able to be covered by clothing, for example the face and hands,
a high protection suncream should be applied – at least Factor 15.
If, after the initial healing period, you are concerned about the appearance of the burnt
or scalded area because of raised scarring or redness then contact your GP who may be
able to offer further advice
or refer you to a specialist if necessary.
The Trust recognises the importance of multi-agency working: to safeguard children
and young people.
If you are concerned about the welfare
of a child or young person please contact Children’s Social Care on:
For children living in the Blackpool area:
Monday-Friday 8am - 8pm
Tel No: 0300 123 6720
Out of hours and weekends
Tel No: 0300 123 6722
For children living in Wyre, Fylde, Lancaster or Morecambe
Monday-Friday 9am - 5pm
Tel No: 0845 050 3009
Out of hours and weekends
Tel No: 0845 602 1043
‘Protecting children is everybody’s business’
