300 Longwood Avenue Boston, MA 02115 (617) 355-6000 My Child Has: Burns: Electrical & Thermal Programs that treat this condition Children's Hospital Primary Care Center   Injury Prevention Program   Electrical Burns Electrical burns occur when there is contact with an electricity, either alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC). Caring for an electrical burn: Call or send someone to call 911 for emergency medical assistance. Significant electrical injuries will need medical care. Unplug the appliance or device that has caused the injury or turn off the electrical current. If the child is in contact with the electrical current do not touch them until you turn off the source or the circuit breaker. Determine that the child is still breathing. If the child is not breathing, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Cover the burned area with a sterile gauze bandage or clean bed sheet. Maintain your child's normal body temperature, and take the child to an emergency center. Be aware that a child may experience "shock" after an electrical burn. If your child is showing signs of shock, send someone to call 911 immediately. Do not give your child anything to eat or drink. Place the child on his/her back, unless a neck or back injury is suspected. If the child has vomited or has a serious injury to the face or mouth area, you may lay the child on his/her side. Keep your child warm with blankets or extra clothing, but do not use a heat source to warm them. Elevate your child's feet and legs, using a prop or pillow. What are the symptoms of shock? The following are the most common symptoms of shock. However, each child may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms of shock may include: cold sweat weakness irregular breathing chills pale or blue-colored lips pale or blue-colored fingernails a fast, but weak pulse nausea The symptoms may resemble other conditions or medical problems. Consult your child's physician immediately for diagnosis and treatment. Heat or Thermal Burns A heat-induced or thermal burn can occur when the skin comes in contact with any heat source, such as a cooking pan, an iron, a fire, a hot surface or a hot, scalding liquid. Caring for a heat-induced or thermal burn: Remove the child from the heat source. Cool the affected area with cold water or cold compresses until pain is reduced or alleviated. If a blister has formed, do not break it. Protect the burn with a dry, sterile, gauze bandage or with a clean bed sheet or cloth. If your child's clothing is stuck to the burned area, do not attempt to remove it. Instead, cut around the clothing leaving the burn intact. Do not apply any ointments, oils, or sprays to the burned area. If the burn is serious, seek medical attention or dial 911 for emergency medical attention. The information on this website should not be taken as medical advice, which can only be given to you by your personal health care professional. Copyright © Children's Hospital Boston. All rights reserved.