A second-degree burn, also called a partial thickness wound, is a serious injury that affects the first two layers of skin. A second-degree burn may be minor or major depending on the size of the burn and which parts of the skin are burned.
CAUSES
This condition may be caused by:
Heat. Burns caused by heat happen when skin comes in contact with something very hot, such as a flame or hot liquid.
Electricity.
Certain chemicals, such as acids.
RISK FACTORS
Certain kinds of burns are more likely to happen in children of certain ages. For example:
Toddlers are at higher risk for burns from hot liquids because they are curious and unaware of what happens if they touch a hot object.
School-aged …show more content…
You may be asked to watch the wound for changes at home and to visit a health care provider repeatedly so that the health care provider can check for changes. If the wound is larger, your child may need to stay in the hospital so that a health care team can examine the wound for at least the first day or two.
TREATMENT
The first step in treatment is to wash and bandage the wound with antibiotic ointments. This keeps the wound clean and helps prevent infection. The next steps depend on the severity of the burn. They may involve:
Giving your child pain medicine. The medicine may be given by mouth or through an IV tube.
Applying ointments to the wound. Ointments may be prescribed to help the wound heal and prevent infection.
Deep burns can cause skin tissue to die and a scab (eschar) to form where the skin used to be. If your child has a deep burn and an eschar forms, your child may need to have surgery to remove the eschar so that the skin can heal properly. If your child's wound is both deep and large, meaning it covers more than 15% of your child's skin, treatment may also