Scalds
At Shriners Children’s, our burn care team uses advanced diagnostics and innovative treatments to care for children with scalds.
Outpatient Burn Care
Outpatient Burn Treatment
Shriners Children’s is here to support your child through every phase of their burn injury recovery. Children who are discharged from inpatient care for an acute burn injury typically transition to outpatient care as they continue to heal and resume their normal activities. Our skilled burn care specialists will develop a plan customized to your child’s specific needs.
Many burns don’t require inpatient treatment and can be successfully managed with outpatient care. Children who have received care elsewhere for an acute burn can also see us on an outpatient basis to help achieve the best outcome. In non-emergency cases, you can contact us to make an appointment at one of our outpatient clinics offering burn care services.
Your child’s outpatient care plan could include follow up appointments for wound care, scar management or rehabilitation – physical, occupational and speech therapy – as well as psychological support, nutrition, and orthotics and prosthetics. Specific services may vary by location.
Kaiden had zero scarring. We are so grateful for Shriners Children's!
Understanding Your Child’s Burn Care Appointment
Your child will be seen by a nurse practitioner or attending physician. Other specialists will be brought in to consult as necessary
A plan will be developed to meet your child’s specific needs, taking into account their age and development, as well as the extent of the burn injury. Any follow-up appointments for treatment are included in that plan. We may need to adjust your child's treatment plan as they begin to heal, physically and emotionally. Our clinicians will also educate you about burn care first aid and burn care at home as your child heals.
If Your Child Has Been Burned
In an emergency, all 9-1-1.
Seek immediate care if your child has:
- A large or deep burn
- Burns from fire, electricity or chemicals
- Burns on the face, hands, feet, joints or groin
- Disorientation or signs of infection (pus, swelling, red streaks)
First Aid for Burns
- Remove your child from the heat source.
- Gently remove clothing near the burn (don’t pull off anything stuck).
- Run cool (not cold) water over the burn.
- Cover with a clean, soft cloth or gauze.
- Avoid ointments, butter or ice.
- Give ibuprofen or acetaminophen if your child is alert.
- Visit the nearest ER or urgent care.
Stay calm. Your child will take cues from you.
Types of Burns
Superficial Burns
Superficial burns, also known as first-degree burns, affect only the epidermal (outer) layer of skin. No blisters form, but the burned areas are painful. Burns of this type usually heal in a few days without scarring.
Superficial Second-degree Burns
Superficial, partial thickness burns affect the top two layers of skin and these burns often form blisters. Beneath the blister, the wounds are pink, moist and typically painful. Superficial second-degree burns generally heal in 10 to 14 days with mild to moderate scarring. A second-degree burn care plan will be developed for your child.
Deep Second-degree Burns
Deep, partial thickness burns go further into the skin and involve the epidermal and deeper dermal layers of the skin. Deep second-degree burns can have a significant risk of infection and take longer to heal, often around three weeks. Scarring for these wounds can be severe.
Full Third-degree Burns
Full thickness burns, or third-degree burns, go through the epidermal and dermal layers of the skin and into the underlying tissue. These burns often appear dry and leathery and result in very severe scarring. A third-degree burn care plan will be developed for your child.
Fourth-degree Burns
The most severe and potentially life-threatening burn is a fourth-degree burn. Fourth-degree burns are the highest degree of burn. They affect all layers of the skin, muscles, tendons and even bone.
Locations that provide outpatient burn care
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Pediatric Rehabilitation and Therapy
Shriners Children’s provides comprehensive pediatric inpatient and outpatient therapies to improve your child’s function and quality of life, restore independence and promote physical healing.
Conditions We Treat
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Chemical Burns
At Shriners Children’s, our burn care team uses advanced diagnostics and innovative treatments to care for children with chemical burns.
Frostbite
Frostbite can occur when skin is exposed to extreme cold temperatures. Prolonged exposure can result in serious injury. Shriners Children’s utilizes burn care treatments that are effective in treating frostbite.
Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis
Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TENS) is a severe form of Stevens-Johnson syndrome.
Electrical Burns
At Shriners Children's, our team uses advanced diagnostics and innovative treatments to care for electrical burns.
Friction Injuries
A friction injury resembles a burn and occurs when skin is harmed by rubbing against a hard surface, causing heat and abrasion. Our burn care teams are skilled at treating these injuries.
Second-Degree Burns
Shriners Children's treats second-degree burns, or partial thickness burns, which destroy the top and middle layers of the skin.
Flame Burn
A flame burn is caused by contact with fire, such as a burning candle or home fire. Our staff at Shriners Children's treat all flame burns, from small injuries to large burns requiring hospitalization.
Next Steps
Request an Appointment
Families and caregivers seeking treatment should start by contacting us for an appointment.
Log in to the Patient Portal
Parents and guardians of existing patients can email, request records, schedule appointments and more.
Refer a Patient
Physicians and healthcare providers can request appointments, start transfers or contact us with questions.