Electrical Burns In Children

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Electricity (e-lek-trih-sih-t) is what turns on your lights and other things that you plug in. Electrical burns are caused by electricity touching your child or passing through his/her body. Or, your child can be burned when electricity jumps from electrical equipment to him/her. Electrical burns also happen when a child chews or sucks on an electrical cord. Children also get burned from sticking fingers, keys, pins, and other objects into electrical outlets.
  
  
• Electricity causes burns on the skin that may be very deep. The electricity may cause damage inside your child's body as it passes through him/her. Electricity can hurt the brain, heart, and other organs. How fast your child gets better depends on how badly he/she is burned.

INSTRUCTIONS:

• Your child's medicines are:____.
  
  
  • Keep a written list of what medicines your child takes and when and why he takes them. Bring the list of your child's medicines or the pill bottles when you see your child's caregivers. Ask your caregiver for information about your child's medicines. Do not give your child any medicines without first talking to caregivers.
    
    
  • Always give your child his medicine as directed by caregivers. Call your child's caregiver if you think your child's medicines are not helping or if you feel your child is having side effects. Do not quit giving them to your child until you discuss it with his caregiver. If your child is taking antibiotics (an-ti-bi-ah-tiks), give them until they are all gone even if your child seems to feels better.
    
    
  • Do not give your child aspirin or any medicines that contain aspirin if he is less than 18 years. Giving aspirin to your child when he is ill may cause a very serious illness called Reye's syndrome. Read medicine labels to see if your child's medicine has aspirin.
    
    
  • It is OK to give your child acetaminophen (uh-c-tuh-min-o-fin) for fever and comfort. Ask your caregiver before giving ibuprofen (i-bew-pro-fin).
    
    
  • Don't use any medicine on the burn except those prescribed by your doctor.
  
  
• Follow your doctor's home care instructions carefully. Keep all follow-up appointments until your child is released by the doctor.
  
  
• For mouth burns:
  
  
  • Feed your child bland, soft, cold foods. Choices include baby foods, soft cooked eggs, cooked cereal, ice cream, and yogurt. Give lots of liquids such as water, milk, and fruit juices.
    
    
  • Brush your child's teeth 3 or 4 times a day. Use a soft toothbrush, with or without toothpaste.
  
  
• Do the following to help keep your child from getting electrical injuries.
  
  
  • Cover unused electrical outlets with childproof plug covers. You can buy the covers at hardware stores and in baby departments.
    
    
  • Replace worn or damaged electrical cords.
  
  
• Feed your child healthy foods from all of the 5 food groups: fruits, vegetables, breads, dairy products, meat and fish. Eating healthy foods may help your feel better and have more energy. It may also help him get better faster.
  
  
• Your child can eat normal foods as soon as he wants. Your child should drink ____ glasses (soda pop can size) of water every day.

CALL ____ IF:

• Your child has more pain, swelling, or drainage from the burn wound. These are signs of infection.
  
  
• Your child has red streaks coming from the burn area.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• Your child has a temperature of ____F (____C) or higher.
  
  
• Your child has trouble swallowing or breathing.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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