Wound care | 1 min read

When gentle matters most: a parents’ guide for children recovering from partial thickness (second degree) burns

This guide is for parents and carers, to help you understand and support your child’s healing journey, from hospital care to recovery at home.

Understanding burns in children

A burn injury during childhood can feel devastating, not just for the child but for parents too. Children’s skin is thin, fragile and particularly sensitive to pain and trauma. However, children’s skin also tends to heal quickly compared to adults, and with the right kind of care, their pain can be minimised.

Gentle and effective care and the right burn dressings will help your child recover from a burn injury and get back to enjoying their childhood. We explain how to support your child’s recovery and answer some frequently asked questions.

Did you know

Most burns are partial thickness (sometimes called ‘second degree’ burns), which affect the top layer (epidermis) and part of the second layer (dermis) of the skin.

Burn care in a hospital setting

Depending on the severity of the burn, the immediate priority will be pain relief and managing any risk of infection, so that healing can begin.

Usually, the burn will be covered with a dressing, such as Mepilex Ag®, and bandages. This dressing is designed to keep the wound at the right moisture level to support undisturbed wound healing, and to create an effective antimicrobial barrier.

Dressing changes can be painful and a source of anxiety, especially for children. We know that pain and trauma can contribute to delayed healing. For that reason, Mepilex® Ag, an advanced dressing, has a soft silicone contact layer (using Safetac® technology) to prevent it from sticking to the wound bed. This helps make each dressing change less of an ordeal for your child.

See the Safetac effect in action:

Care and recovery at home

Once your child returns home, they can begin to get back to enjoying the usual childhood activities as healing continues.

As in hospital, the dressing will continue to absorb fluid and release silver into the wound to create an effective antimicrobial barrier.

The dressing is made of foam, which feels soft and comfortable on the wound and surrounding skin. It moves with your child’s body and is kept securely in place with a tubular bandage.

The Mepilex Ag dressing can stay in place for up to seven days for undisturbed wound healing. Your healthcare professional will decide on frequency of dressing changes based on clinical factors.

FAQ

How long will my child need to wear Mepilex Ag after leaving hospital?

This will depend on the severity of the wound and the speed of healing. Your healthcare professional can advise you.
How often does the dressing need to be changed?

Mepilex Ag can stay in place for up to seven days. Your healthcare professional will advise you if it needs to be changed more frequently.
Can the dressing come into contact with water?

The dressing should not get wet; so no swimming and no baths. It’s safe for your child to shower, but remember to cover the dressing with cling film first to keep it dry, and avoid spraying the shower on it directly.
What if it accidentally gets wet?

If the dressing does get wet and comes off, contact your burns unit for an appointment, unless you have a spare dressing and you or a healthcare professional are able to replace it.
What else should I look out for?
You should contact your burns unit or emergency department immediately if you notice any of the following:

the dressing gets dirty or falls off.

the wound becomes more painful and/or smelly or feels hot to the touch.
Are there any support groups for children with burns and their families?

Most countries have a children’s burns association or charity that provides information and support for families. For example, the UK has the Children's Burns Trust and the US the Children's Burn Foundation.
Will there be a scar once the burn has healed?

Some types of burn can leave scars, but it’s not inevitable and there is much you can do to minimise scarring. Learn more about burn scar treatment.

Burn treatment

Most burns are painful and can even be life-changing for the patient. With the right burn treatment and therapies throughout the healing journey, we can help patients return to daily life faster.