Burnt arm 3 year old

[Tuftytoo]

My 3 year old burn his arm on the oven door surface this evening whilst cooking.

It's a thin white line with red irritation around it.

I think we should go to a and e as NHS says any burn under 10 years needs medical attention. DH says no Biggie as we ran under water and put him to bed.

He is not in discomfort. AIBU?

only You can see how bad it is and whether it needs review. First aid advice for all burns run under cool water for as long as it’s tolerated ideally 20mins. You can apply a thin layer of Vaseline which will keep the burn hydrated and help healing. Don’t apply savlon or other creams as it actually slows healing.
Obviously red hot swelling unwell or further concerns get it checked out. - paediatric MIU nurse

Phone NHS out of hours (don't know what is called in England) for advice before you go and spend 10-12 hours sitting in A&E or at least go to. Minor injuries unit instead.

Horary in 111 giving out sensible advice shocker!!! So used to hearing them send people to A&E to get checked out, suspect that winter pressures might be having an effect.

I think you did everything right here, cooling under running water is the critical treatment for that type of burn normally recommended to occur for 20 minutes, which is a lifetime for a 3 year old so I'll be amazed if you made that but with the contact being fleeting and distress being minimal sounds like you did it for long enough.

A big part of the guidance around going to A&E is more so it can be judged whether it was a done to the child deliberately, burning children is quite a common abuse mechanism.

Picture for reference

@rosyglowcondition reassuring to know you've worked in as an a&e nurse so probably seen it all! I will keep an eye on it. You just worry about everything when they are this little

Boots sell a soothing burn gel that is good to apply after cool water. We always keep a bottle in the kitchen

Is there pain when they touch it? If not then that’s an issue.

Do not put peppermint oil or lavender oil on it

Bless him that does look quite sore. He must be a resilient poppet.

@Mostlyoblivious I mean I think it's definitely a bit ouchy. Tbh we've been trying not to touch it. I'm not sure it would penetrate muscle from a touch and remove scenario? But could be wrong

There's a gel for burns. Burnshield hydrogel I think and it's amazing. Really soothing.

That looks like a superficial burn - i.e. no broken skin or blistering. I would treat that with 20 mins (at least) under COOL running water (not really cold). No need for anything like cling film as skin not broken. A burn gel should only be applied when you are 100% sure there is no heat left in the injury.
In a child a burn in the arm should get medical attention if the skin is broken or blistered or if if the area is the size of the child’s hand (which is approx 1% of body surface area).

@BuggerOffAndGoodDayToYou thanks for your input appreciate it. I will watch and wait and see how is tmrw. Hopefully it'll look better in the morning.

Agree with others definitely do not put oil on burns! It keeps the heat in which keeps the burn going…skin needs to cool down not stay hot

My 4-year old had a whitie coloured burn that didn't blister but was in so much pain I took him to a minor injuries unit. They said I was right to bring him in as it was a bad burn so the skin was unable to blister. I then had to attend two follow up appointments to check healing. Fine now thankfully. Not saying this applies to you OP but in case anyone reading thinks no blisters means don't worry.

@Tuftytoo

aww bless, poor little poppet. Hopefully he's learnt a lesson here, so it doesn't happen again.

i wouldn't A&E for that.

scaring depends on many factors. You seen excessively worried by that, is there a particular reason?

Don't put any oils, butter, honey on it or any other food.

have you considered doing a St John's paediatric course? It's a goid course & I think all parents should do it.

ive heard your favourite breakfast help the record process! ☺️