Question
If a child accidentally knocks over a cup containing freshly boiled water, resulting in large areas of redness and swelling on the hands and arms, and the child cries in pain, how should one urgently handle this type of burn situation?
Answer
In the event of a child being burned by boiling water, the immediate priority is to take appropriate first aid measures. As soon as a burn occurs, the wound should be immediately flushed with running cold water to lower the temperature of the wound, alleviate pain, and prevent the condition from worsening. Subsequently, the child should be rushed to the hospital for professional treatment. At the hospital, medical staff will disinfect the wound with iodine alcohol and apply burn ointment to promote healing. Antimicrobial medications may also be administered to prevent infection. During treatment, it is recommended to maintain a light diet, avoid spicy and stimulating foods, and regularly return for follow-up checks on the wound’s recovery status.