Burns
I had a 2 year-old patient brought to the emergency room for scalded burns on his anterior chest and arm. It was because he accidentally reached for the cup on the table half full of hot coffee.
Burns in children are not uncommon and form part of the overall problem of accidental injuries of children. This ranks among the leading causes of accidental death. So, what are the different kinds of burns? These are:
1. Scald burns
– the most frequent type of burn occurring at home
– we should remember that above 65degrees centigrade, cell death occurs
2. Flame burns
– this may be due to gasoline, kerosene, LPG, burning houses or buildings
3. Chemical burns
– this occurs in laboratories and in industrial firms
– Acid is a more common cause than alkali
4. Electrical burns
– in this burn , there is an entrance usually in the hands or head and an exit for the current commonly in the feet
– the electrical current travels through the body and may stop the heart and or may depress the respiratory center in the medulla
– the damage may include the blood vessels resulting in thrombosis then amputation
– a delayed effect is the development of cataracts
5. Radiation burns
– this results from X- ray or radioactive radiation and nuclear bomb explosions
– this may cause damage to the bone marrow
It is very important as caregivers to be extra careful because children has no idea of the damage which burns will cause them. Like nfants, one should be careful in bathing the baby to test the water first if it is safe or not especially if the hot water is used.
A toddler also has the capacity to reach up a stove or table and takes hold of the coffee or soup pot and spills it all over himself.
Some children will also insert their fingers in the electric outlet that may cause electric shock.
Older children may play with matches and that could start a fire.
It is a must as caregivers to safeguard the life of every child.