Everything You Need to Know About Hot Water Scalding Burns on Children

December 13, 2019 by Greg Baumgartner

Every year, more than 500,000 people suffer scalding burns. Young children are at the highest risk for hot water scalding burns.

While many of these burns can be treated with simple first aid, severe scalding water burns can lead to permanent disfigurement and even death. Proper management of burn wound care is crucial to prevent complications. Most scalding water burns in children are preventable if you follow a few safety practices.

What Are Hot Water Scalding Burns?

Hot water scalding burns are a type of thermal burn caused by exposure to hot liquids, such as water or steam. These burns occur when a person comes into contact with hot water, either through immersion or splashing. The severity of hot water scalding burns can vary, ranging from minor burns that affect only the outer layer of the skin to third-degree burns that penetrate deeper layers and cause significant damage.

Young children and older adults are particularly vulnerable to hot water scalding burns due to their sensitive skin. According to the American Burn Association, scalding burns are the leading cause of burns in children under the age of 4. These burns can result in permanent disfigurement, disability, and in severe cases, even death. Understanding the risks and taking preventive measures can help protect against these potentially life-threatening injuries.

Leading Causes of Scalding Water Burns on Children

The most common causes of burns, specifically water burns on children, are thoroughly discussed below:

• Sipping or spilling hot drinks: Children may accidentally sip or spill hot beverages, resulting in scalding burns. It can occur when a child pulls down a cup of coffee or tea from a table, unknowingly exposing themselves to the scalding liquid. In some cases, adults may underestimate the temperature of a beverage, leading to scalding burns on a child’s lips from a mug of hot cider or hot chocolate.
• Boiling liquids in pans or kettles pulled down by curious children: Curious children may unintentionally pull down pans or kettles containing boiling liquids, which can cause severe scalding burns. This often happens when a child sees a panhandle hanging over the edge of a stove and accidentally pours the scalding contents onto their body. Older children rushing past an oven might accidentally catch the handle of a pot, resulting in the spilling of hot contents on themselves.
• Tap water set too high: Scalding water burns can also occur due to tap water set at excessively high temperatures. A child can burn their hands while attempting to use the sink for washing, or when unsupervised, they may turn on the faucet and unintentionally burn themselves. Caretakers who fail to test the water temperature or neglect to monitor children in the bathtub closely can also lead to scalding burns.

Other Causes of Burns

While scalding water burns on children are a significant concern, it is essential to note that burns can also result from various other causes. Burns can stem from hot objects, liquids, gases, flames, caustic chemicals, radiation, and electrical currents. Thermal burns, for instance, can be caused by hot objects, liquids, and gases, such as hot pans, hot water, or steam. It is crucial to recognize that burns from hot liquids and gases are particularly dangerous, as their spreading nature allows them to contact larger areas of the body compared to solid objects.

Chemical burns and electrical burns, particularly in children, are also dangerous. Immediate actions such as contacting the Poison Control Center, flushing the affected area with water, and identifying the chemicals involved are crucial for effective treatment. Electrical burns can cause serious internal damage despite minimal external signs, emphasizing the need for preparedness in emergencies.

Moreover, burns occur due to a chemical process that damages or destroys the body’s tissues. When body tissues come into contact with something hot, the cell walls burst, and the proteins change, like how a piece of meat cooks in a hot pan or in boiling water.

While scalding water burns on children is a notable focus, it is vital to understand the broader range of causes and the physiological changes that occur when burns happen.

This comprehensive understanding will aid in prevention and ensure individuals’ overall well-being and safety in various burn-related situations.”

Why a Burn is so Dangerous for Children

Children’s skin burns more easily than adults’ skin. Infants and young children are especially sensitive to different temperatures. Water relaxing to an adult may cause severe burns on a baby, requiring skin grafts and years of treatment.

Young children are naturally curious and unstable in their mobility, which makes them more likely to experience scalding water burns.

Children cannot remove themselves from the burning source, making them more likely to suffer third-degree burns. A scalding burn may require years of painful treatments and leave behind permanent scars. In severe cases, taking the child to the nearest emergency room is crucial for immediate medical care.

Because children are much smaller than adults, even a scalding burn on a small surface area of skin can send their bodies into shock and cause secondary issues. A burn that may be less than five percent of the skin surface area of an adult could be over fifty percent of the skin surface area of an infant.

What to Do After Your Child Has Been Burned – Emergency Room Steps

Many scalding burns can be treated with first aid. Knowing how to treat burns properly minimizes damage and proposes healing. The first thing you need to do after a child has been burned is to remove whatever is causing the burn. Next, you will need to assess the seriousness of the burn. Take your child to get immediate medical attention if:

• The burn is larger than the size of their hand
• The skin where the child was burned becomes white or looks charred, regardless of the size of the burn
• Burns that cause blisters
• The burn oozes or looks infected
• The child develops a fever or seems weak
• The child doesn’t immediately feel any pain from the burn

If the scalding burn is superficial, it will cause immediate pain, and the skin will become pink or red. You can treat this burn at home. However, if the burn worsens or the child develops the above symptoms later, you must take the child for immediate medical attention.

Treatment Options

When treating a superficial hot water scalding burn on a child, immediately soak the skin in lukewarm water. Do not use cold water or ice on the burn.

This can cause more damage to the skin. Keep the burn under lukewarm water for five to fifteen minutes. The child should report that the burn feels slightly better after the soaking, but they will still be in pain.

You can cover the burn with non-stick gauze. Do not cover the burn with grease, butter, or any ointment unless your doctor directs you to use an antibiotic ointment.

You should not pop blisters. You can give your child over-the-counter pain medication such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen according to the directions on the packaging.

If you have questions about the burn or the treatment of the burn, consult with your pediatrician.

How Are Third Degree Burn Severity Determined?

Burn severity levels are rated based on a scale that consists of three levels. The first level is known as a first-degree burn, which affects only the outermost layer of the skin, known as the epidermis. This type of burn is considered the least severe and typically results in symptoms such as pain, redness, and swelling. Home care measures like ice and loose bandages are commonly sufficient for treating first-degree burns. It is also recommended to consult a doctor to apply an antibiotic cream or ointment.

The second level is categorized as a second-degree burn, which affects the epidermis and the layer beneath it, known as the dermis. These burns can cause pain, redness, swelling, blistering, peeling skin, and the development of seeping wounds. They are considered harmful because of the potential for infection and the possibility of minor scarring. However, with proper home care and the application of antibiotic medication, second-degree burns can usually heal effectively.

Third- Degree Burns

The most severe level is a third-degree burn, also called a full-thickness burn. This type of burn extends through both the epidermis and dermis, destroying these layers. Interestingly, due to the destruction of nerve endings in the dermis, third-degree burns may produce less pain than second-degree burns. The affected skin appears gray and dry, often resembling leather. Third-degree burns can cause life-threatening symptoms and may result in complications, including disfigurement.

In summary, doctors evaluate burn severity using a rating scale with three levels: first-degree burns that affect the outermost layer of the skin, second-degree burns that extend into the deeper layers, and third-degree burns that damage both the epidermis and dermis. Each level presents distinct symptoms and potential complications, with third-degree burns being the most severe and requiring immediate medical attention.

Read More: The Cost of Treating Burns

Long-Term Effects of Hot Water Scalding Burns

Hot water scalding burns can profoundly affect physical and emotional well-being. Severe burns often lead to permanent scarring and disfigurement, which can significantly impact a person’s appearance and self-esteem. These burns can sometimes cause chronic pain and limited mobility, making everyday activities challenging.

Beyond the physical consequences, hot water scalding burns have emotional and psychological impacts that can be equally devastating. Survivors, especially children, may experience anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The trauma of the injury and the subsequent treatments can lead to long-lasting emotional distress, fear, and low self-esteem.

Anyone who has suffered a hot water scalding burn needs immediate medical attention. Prompt and appropriate treatment can help minimize the risk of long-term effects and promote better healing outcomes. Emotional support and counseling may also be necessary to address the psychological impacts of the injury.

What Types of Compensation Can be Sought for Child Burn Injuries?

Various types of compensation can be pursued when seeking compensation for child burn injuries. These include both economic and non-economic losses.

1. Economic losses: This category covers the financial expenses incurred due to the burn injuries. It encompasses the cost of past and future medical treatments, including doctor visits, surgeries, medications, and therapies (both physical and mental). Additionally, economic losses may also include compensation for any future income losses if the burns have resulted in a permanent disability, limiting the child’s ability to work in the future.

2. Non-economic losses: Non-economic losses refer to the intangible impact of the burn injuries on the child’s life. These losses can include the pain and suffering experienced by the child, both physically and mentally. Disfigurement caused by the burns, which may alter the child’s appearance, could also be considered non-economic losses. Moreover, the long-term effects of disability, such as reduced quality of life and decreased enjoyment, are also considered.

By engaging the services of a knowledgeable Houston personal injury lawyer, you can pursue compensation for these economic and non-economic losses in Texas. The aim is to secure your child’s future and hold those responsible for the burn injuries accountable.

Safety Tips to Avoid Scalding Water Burns

Take steps to prevent accidental hot water scalding burns on your children. Some of the most important steps you can take are:

• Always ensure that pan handles are pointed towards the back of the stove and not hanging over the edge
• Keep all hot drinks out of the reach of children
• Never leave children unattended in the kitchen
• Never leave children unattended in the bathtub
• Make sure the temperature of your water heater is set below 120°F
• Test the temperature of the bathwater with your elbow
• Allow hot beverages to cool before giving them to children
• Use spill-proof lids for your hot beverages

While children under the age of five are the most at risk for hot water scalding burns, even older children and teenagers sometimes accidentally burn themselves.

Teach your children how to be safe in the kitchen. Make sure children understand how to use the stove and microwave safely. Also, teach your children what to do if they do burn themselves.

Investing time in some basic safety practices and lessons could save your child’s life.

Conclusion

Hot water scalding burns are serious injuries that can affect a person’s physical and emotional health. Preventive measures, such as keeping hot liquids out of reach of children and using cool water to treat minor burns, are essential in reducing the risk of these injuries. If a severe burn occurs, seeking immediate medical attention is crucial to ensure proper treatment and minimize long-term consequences.

Understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for hot water scalding burns can prevent these injuries and promote optimal healing and recovery. If you or someone you know has suffered a hot water scalding burn, seeking medical attention immediately and following proper wound care and treatment to minimize the risk of long-term effects are essential.

Contact a Leading Houston Child Injury Lawyer at Baumgartner Law Firm

If your child was burned because of the negligence of another, contact Baumgartner Law Firm for a no-obligation consultation with a preeminent personal injury lawyer in Houston about your rights and options.

Call 281-587-1111 or fill out the consultation request!

Baumgartner Law Firm

6711 Cypress Creek Pkwy, Houston, TX, 77069

(281) 587-1111

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Legal Steps to Take After Suffering a Burn Injury

What Types of Burn Injuries Can a Car Accident Cause?

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