For boiling water burns on a child's chest, what is the recommended first aid?

For boiling water burns on a child's chest, what is the recommended first aid?

• A. Soak the clothing with cool water; do not apply ice
• B. Apply ice directly to the burn
• C. Remove all clothing from the child
• D. Rub with butter

Answer: (A)

Cooling a burn quickly with cool running water helps limit tissue damage and reduce pain. Soaking the clothing with cool water is effective here because it begins cooling right away and also cools the fabric in contact with the skin, helping to remove heat from the area on the chest. Avoid ice because the extreme cold can injure tissue and make the burn worse. Also, don’t apply butter or other greasy substances; they can trap heat, contaminate the wound, and raise the risk of infection. If possible, loosen or remove clothing around the burn if it isn’t stuck to the skin, and then loosely cover the area with a clean, non-stick dressing after cooling. Seek medical help if the burn is large, involves the face, hands, feet, or genitals, if there are blisters, or if the child is very young or shows signs of fever, dehydration, or worsening pain.

Cooling a burn quickly with cool running water helps limit tissue damage and reduce pain. Soaking the clothing with cool water is effective here because it begins cooling right away and also cools the fabric in contact with the skin, helping to remove heat from the area on the chest.

Avoid ice because the extreme cold can injure tissue and make the burn worse. Also, don’t apply butter or other greasy substances; they can trap heat, contaminate the wound, and raise the risk of infection. If possible, loosen or remove clothing around the burn if it isn’t stuck to the skin, and then loosely cover the area with a clean, non-stick dressing after cooling.

Seek medical help if the burn is large, involves the face, hands, feet, or genitals, if there are blisters, or if the child is very young or shows signs of fever, dehydration, or worsening pain.