Burns
When To See a Doctor
You have answered Yes to:
Does your child have a burn?
See significance of child's burn if you need information to help you answer the questions below.
Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your child's symptoms.
Note:
- The following questions will help you decide if and when your child needs to see a doctor based on the size of the burn. Be sure to answer all the questions to determine if your child needs to see a doctor because of other problems caused by a burn.
- It can be hard to estimate the size of a burn. If you think a burn is a certain degree and size but you are unsure, it is best to discuss the degree and size of the burn with your health professional.
- The "rule of palm" is one way to estimate the size of a burn. The palm of the person who is burned (not fingers or wrist area) is about 1% of the body. Use the person's palm to measure the body surface area burned.
Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Yes Does your child have a third-degree burn?
Yes Does your child have a second-degree on his or her face, eyelids, ears, hands, feet, groin area, or over a joint?
Yes Does your child have a second-degree burn covering from 1% to 10% of his or her body?
Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to the following question.
Yes Does your child have a second-degree burn that is larger than a quarter?
Note: Call your health professional today to determine if a visit is needed. Your health professional may not need to see you for your burn, but he or she will want to ask you questions to determine the seriousness of the burn and what steps you need to take next.
You need an appointment within the next 1 to 2 weeks if you answer "Yes" to the following question.
Yes Is the healing scar from a burn pulling the skin tight or preventing normal movement of the area?
If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
| Author: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA | Last Updated: February 2, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine | |
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