Question
About an hour ago, a six-year-old child accidentally got burned by hot water from a water dispenser, with injuries to the waist area and peeling skin. The parent tried using soap to relieve the pain, but it was ineffective. How should one correctly handle a child’s hot water burn?
Answer
Burns can be categorized into three degrees of severity. First-degree burns only affect the superficial layer of the skin, with localized mild swelling, no blisters, and significant pain. Second-degree burns affect the skin, with localized swelling and pain, accompanied by blisters of varying sizes. Third-degree burns affect the subcutaneous tissue, fat, muscle, and even bone, appearing grayish or brownish-red. Based on the description, this case should be classified as a second-degree burn. Immediate cold water rinsing of the injury site should be done, and medical treatment should be sought as soon as possible.