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Burns Q&As

Published by Bupa's health information team, May 2009.

Answers to questions about burns

This section contains answers to common questions about this topic. Questions have been suggested by health professionals, website feedback and requests via email.

 

What's the best way to protect my children from being accidentally burned?

It's estimated that nine out of 10 of the 250,000 burn injuries experienced by people in the UK every year are preventable. By following a few safety precautions, you can greatly reduce the chance of burns occurring in your home.

Explanation

Most burns are caused by accidents around the home. Children are particularly at risk for burns. Approximately 1,000 people are admitted to hospital every year for severe burns and half of them are children. Over 500 children under five are taken to an accident and emergency department every week because of burns and scalds.

Children have thinner skin than adults and so are burned much more easily. Hot drinks are the number one cause of scalds in children under five, although burn injuries from hot bath water, chip pans and hair straighteners are also often seen.

If you have children, the following tips may help prevent accidental burns in your home.

  • Don't leave hot drinks within reach of your children and don't pass hot drinks while holding a baby, in case you spill the drink.
  • Never leave children alone in the kitchen when you're cooking. Use the back burners on your stove and keep the pan handles turned inwards.
  • Put hot kettles at the back of your kitchen work surface.
  • Don't overfill a chip pan with oil. If your chip pan catches fire, don't throw water on it. Turn off the heat if it's safe to do so, get out of your house and call for emergency help.
  • If possible, replace your chip pan with a temperature-controlled deep-fat fryer or use oven chips.
  • Keep hot hair straighteners out of reach of your children.
  • Babies' milk should be lukewarm, not hot. Always shake the bottle well and test the temperature with a few drops on the inside of your wrist.
  • If you're running a bath, run the cold water first and then the hot water.
  • Bath water for babies or toddlers shouldn't feel hot or cold. Always test it first with your elbow before bathing your child.
  • Keep matches and lighters where young children can't see or reach them.
  • Use fireguards to stop babies and young children falling on to fires or heaters and don't let children play or leave toys near fires and heaters.
  • Put plug guards into sockets so children can't stick anything into the holes.
  • Make sure electrical appliances in children's bedrooms are switched off at night.

Further information

Sources

  • Standards and strategy for burn care: a review of burn care in the British Isles. British Burns Association (National Burn Care Review Committee). 2005. www.bapras.org.uk
  • Burns and scalds. Child Accident Prevention Trust. www.capt.org.uk, accessed 1 September 2008
  • Fire safety advice for parents and child carers. Directgov. www.direct.gov.uk, accessed 1 September 2008
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What are the potential complications of being severely burned?

If you have severely burned yourself, you won't feel any pain as your nerve endings have also been destroyed by the burn. However, complications from severe burns are common and can be life-threatening. All deep burns of any size need to be examined by a doctor.

Explanation

If you're severely burned by heat, chemicals or high-voltage electricity, you should go immediately to your nearest accident and emergency department or call for emergency help. Severe burns can cause serious complications due to extensive fluid loss and tissue damage. Although you may feel fine, complications can develop hours after a burn and your condition may deteriorate rapidly.

Common complications from severe burns include the following.

  • Serious breathing problems from smoke inhalation, which can take up to 24 hours to develop.
  • Poisoning from inhalation of toxic gases released by burning materials such as plastic.
  • Dehydration and shock due to massive fluid loss.
  • Infection due to improper cleaning and dressing of injuries, which can lead to a serious bacterial infection of your blood (septicaemia).
  • Thick, crusty surfaces produced by deep burns, which can become too tight and cut off blood supply to your healthy skin and tissues.
  • Widespread muscle damage, which can lead to kidney failure.
  • Extensive scarring, which can cause disfigurement or immobility if you're burned around your joints.

Older people and young children are particularly vulnerable to complications from burns, so it's important to see a doctor as soon as possible if you're not sure about the extent of a burn or how to deal with it.

Further information

Sources

  • Burns and scalds. Clinical Knowledge Summaries. http://cks.library.nhs.uk, accessed 1 September 2008
  • McLatchie GR, Leaper DJ. Oxford handbook of clinical surgery. 2nd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2002:497-502
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What are burn clubs and camps?

Burn clubs and camps are places for young people who have been severely burned to meet other people who have been burned, share stories and improve self-esteem.

Explanation

Many children who have scars from severe burns may not feel good about how they look. Burn clubs and camps offer children and young people who have been badly burned the chance to improve how they feel about themselves through a variety of challenging and fun activities. The idea behind the camps is that although a child may not be able to change their appearance, they can feel good about what their bodies can do. This in turn improves how they feel about themselves.

All burn clubs and camps in the UK are currently funded through private donations. A variety of volunteers from both the public and the NHS helps to run the camps. Burn clubs and camps are gradually gaining recognition for their contribution towards the physical, social and psychological rehabilitation of burn-injured young people and their families.

Ask your burns doctor if you would like more information about burn clubs and camps.

Further information

Sources

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This information was published by Bupa's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been peer reviewed by Bupa doctors. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.

Publication date: May 2009

Burns factsheet

 

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