Do This Right Now
Stop the burning
Remove the child from the heat source. Remove clothing near the burn UNLESS it is stuck to the skin. Remove jewellery or tight items near the burn before swelling starts.
Do NOT pull off clothing stuck to a burn. Cut around it if needed.
Cool the burn with running water
Hold the burned area under cool (not cold) running water for at least 10 minutes. Start immediately. This is the single most effective first aid for burns.
Do NOT use ice, ice water, butter, toothpaste, or any home remedy. Cool running water only.
Call 911 for serious burns
Call 911 if: the burn is larger than your child's palm, the burn is on the face/hands/feet/genitals/joints, the skin is white/brown/black, or your child was burned by electricity or chemicals.
Cover loosely
After cooling, cover the burn loosely with a clean, non-stick bandage or cling film. Do NOT wrap tightly — the area will swell.
Do NOT pop blisters. They protect the skin underneath from infection.
Manage pain
Give age-appropriate pain medication (ibuprofen or acetaminophen). Keep cooling with damp cloths if needed. Comfort your child — burns are very painful.
When to Seek Emergency Care
Call 911 or go to the ER if you see any of these signs
- White, brown, or black patches (third-degree) — may be painless
- Burn larger than the child's palm
- Burns on face, hands, feet, genitals, or over joints
- Electrical or chemical burns — always ER
- Burns that go all the way around a limb or finger
- Difficulty breathing after inhaling smoke or steam
Usually Manageable at Home
These minor burns can be treated with cool water and basic first aid
- Small area of redness without blisters (first-degree)
- Mild sunburn
- Small burn on arm or leg (not on a joint)
- Pain that improves with cooling and medication
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I put butter or toothpaste on a burn?
Never. These trap heat in the skin and increase damage. The only first aid for a burn is cool running water for at least 10 minutes. After that, aloe vera or a prescribed burn cream.
Should I pop the blister?
No. Blisters are your body's natural bandage. They protect the healing skin underneath from infection. If a blister pops on its own, clean it gently and cover with a non-stick bandage.
How long should I run water on it?
At least 10 minutes, ideally 20 minutes. This is the single most effective treatment for burns. Even if you are on your way to the ER, cool the burn with water first. It can be done hours after the burn and still helps.
Will it scar?
First-degree burns (redness only) rarely scar. Second-degree burns (blisters) may leave some discolouration. Third-degree burns often scar and may need surgery. Protecting the area from sun after healing minimizes scarring.
When can my child take a bath?
Avoid soaking the burn in bath water until it is fully healed. Quick showers are fine after the first 24-48 hours — pat the burn dry gently and re-bandage.
This guide is for quick reference and does not replace professional medical advice. When in doubt, call your pediatrician or go to the ER.