Children burn during house fires, car burns, industrial accidents, and other mishaps. But most children who are severely burned also suffer the loss of their lives, as well. A child’s face is the most visible part of the body that is so badly affected by the fire. Thus, the effects of severe burns on children can be devastating. They can cause permanent scarring and disability to the child.
Burn injury affects children through the effects of severe stress. When children are suffering from the effects of acute stress, they experience long periods of grief and fear, and they become less able to function normally in their daily environments. These effects can eventually lead to a child suffering from long-term developmental problems. Long-term developmental problems can be the cause of severe stress.
In this context, it becomes very important for parents to recognize the symptoms of children burned in different ways. You can spot the difference by observing the pattern of behaviour of the children burned. Most burned children tend to be passive and uncooperative. This is a common trait among children in general. Some of the Burned Children Burn Treatment can include psychotherapy and medication.
The first sign that you can observe in burnt children is total immobility. Children tend to be afraid of; they do not open up to anybody and shrink away when they are exposed to any form of criticism. But when you look closely at these children, you will notice that their skin burns are not completely healed and they have some pale patches on the skin. The doctor will use a Burn Gel to help in reducing some of these pale patches to prevent skin damage.
In order to treat burnt children, doctors will use different techniques. The first treatment is a Burn Treatment Unit (BTU). Burn units contain a number of anticholinergic drugs and lidocaine. These will numb the area and will help in stopping the pain. Children ages 12 months and up are the best age to start receiving Burn Treatment. Children below 12 months should not undergo Burn Units.
In addition, Burn Treatment Units also contain corticosteroids. The corticosteroid helps in healing the wounds faster. But the problem with Burn Patients is that they cannot eat solid food for a period of one month. So doctors will not prescribe them solid food until the period of one month is passed. Therefore, it is important to follow up the child regularly in order to see if he/she is eating; if not, it is necessary to reduce the dosage of the corticosteroid to avoid any serious side effects.
For more severe burn injuries, Children are given Burn therapy. This therapy includes behavioural therapy, support, education and stress management techniques. It is only after the child has been treated to the extent possible, that further complications such as complications related to acute stress can be prevented.
There are many ways to help children affected by this condition, but to ensure complete recovery Children need to have their heads covered during the recovery period, and must not play while the condition is still evident. Burn injuries are not the only thing that causes children to become less happy and to suffer from fewer smiles. Most injuries cause mental stress and lead to negative emotions. But with appropriate treatments for burns and other injuries, development can resume among Children affected by this disorder.
Children are mostly burned on the face and head area because this is where they are more vulnerable to extreme heat. Children who have been burned on their faces and heads have also been found to have low self-esteem. The reason for this is that children’s minds cannot deal with the extreme temperatures that cause burns and this leads them to develop depression. There is also a possibility that facial burns heal without any visible scars.
Among children admitted to the burns unit of hospitals, approximately 30% have undergone complete recovery, while about 70% have been partially recovered. Recovery among children varies, depending on how bad the burn is on the skin. But overall, they tend to look healthier and to have fewer symptoms after having minor burns. Even in severe burn cases, recovery is quicker among children. Children can recover from minor to severe burns in one to two years.
Burn injuries among young children can lead to complications if proper medical attention is not taken in time. Some of these complications include infection, nerve damage, scar formation, tissue death and scarring. All of these require treatment from the hospital and hence prompt hospitalization is highly recommended. To prevent complications and to ensure quick healing, you can help your child by making sure that they get dressed appropriately for a burn injury and encourage them to wear safety clothing like hats, goggles and gloves. Children who suffer from minor burns can be treated at home using over the counter ointments or home remedies, but those with more serious burns should be hospitalized for prompt evaluation and treatment.
