How to Treat a Baby Burn

Any type of injury to an infant can cause even the most level-headed adult to panic. Burns can be especially scary because a baby's skin is so sensitive and it can be difficult to judge the severity of a burn. If you find yourself in a situation where you will need to go through a burn treatment procedure for your baby, there are several actions you can take to minimize your baby's pain and prevent further damage.

Things You'll Need

• Cool water
• Cool compress
• Acetaminophen or ibuprofen
• Burn ointment
• Bandage

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Instructions

• 1

  Get your baby to a comfortable, secure location if he is burned. Quickly assess the severity of the burn. Unless you can be positive it is only a minor burn, call 911 or rush your baby to the emergency room. According to Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, a first-degree burn is typically red, sore, and sensitive to the touch. First-degree burns do not blister and do not leave a scar.

• 2

  Treat a first-degree burn by submerging the burned skin in cool water, then use a cool cloth or compress on the burn, keeping it in place for 10 or 15 minutes. Call your doctor or speak to the physician on duty in the emergency room, and ask about giving your baby acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Do not give your baby aspirin because it can cause the deadly disease Reye's syndrome.

• 3

  Apply a cool burn ointment and a loose, clean bandage, especially if the burn blisters. Do not break the blisters because they are a natural part of the skins healing process. If the burn doesn't heal within two or three days, take your baby to see her physician.