Schedule An Appointment

Symptom Checker

Burns in Children

A burn is damage to the skin or deeper tissue caused by heat, chemicals, electricity, radiation or friction. Burns can range from mild redness to deeper injury with blistering or tissue damage.

Hot liquids, flames, hot objects, chemicals, electrical sources and sun exposure are common causes in children.

Call a nurse All symptoms

AAP Guide to Burns in Children

The AAP guide below explains first aid, what not to put on a burn and which burns need medical care right away.

AAP Symptom CheckerBurns

If the Symptom Checker does not appear here

It is the American Academy of Pediatrics’ own tool and it loads from their site, so a lost connection or a content blocker leaves this space empty. Open it on HealthyChildren.org with the button below, or call your office and a nurse will answer.

Open on HealthyChildren.org

Symptom CheckerBurns New tab

When to see a doctor

Contact your pediatrician or another healthcare professional if:

  • The burn blisters, covers a large area or appears deep.
  • The face, hands, feet, genitals or a major joint is involved.
  • A chemical or electrical source caused the burn.
  • A very young child has a significant burn.
  • Redness, swelling, pain or drainage increases during healing.

Call 911 or get emergency care if:

  • The burn is severe or covers a large area.
  • Your child has breathing trouble after smoke or heat exposure.
  • An electrical injury causes collapse, abnormal heartbeat symptoms or severe burns.
  • You think your child has a life-threatening emergency.

Talk to a nurse now, at any hour

When can my child be seen

Be seen today.

Every office keeps same-day appointments for illness and injury.

This evening or at the weekend.

Most offices run After Hours Care, by appointment rather than walk-in.

If you are worried, call. We would rather answer a question that turns out to be nothing.

More on knocks, pain and injuries

See the rest of this group and all 164 symptoms