5 month old scalded by boiling water-please help

[A1983]

My DD was scolded by boiling hot water in a flask placed on her pram yesterday by a close family member-it wasn't secure and leaked through. I'm distraught and don't want to talk to this person. She is 5 months old and ive just got home from Bristol burns unit, seems her usual self but im just so devastated for her, poor baby. She was placed under a cold running tap for 20 minutes then taken to hospital. This morning she had a bio-brane dressing put on her leg under GA and the Consultants say she has complete partial thickness burn (4% mid-deep burn). It's a waiting game to see if it heals by itself in the next 10-14 days-the outer area they believe will do but they say it's 50:50 for the middle area which is quite deep and may need a skin graft. I'm hoping and praying the burn will heal completely....and obviously ideally for her no scarring or discoloration of skin. It's such a large burn on a little leg. She is to eat a protein rich diet to aid healing so her breast milk and ill blend some fish, cheese, beans etc for her.

I'm in shock atm and just want answers now..but unfortunately we all have to wait. She has an appointment on Saturday to see if the bio-brane is still sticking, and will have her dressings changed every 2 days.

Thank you

db.tt/cO0XwseU

Yes it's definitely healing from the outside in which is why there are no definitive answers yet. Here is a pic today-the green bit by her knee was how the white part was yesterday before the biobrane was taken off-so I expect that to turn white too. If you know what the white means (from your experience-i know every burn is different) please say - im exhausted from this sitting on the fence.

Pp - why does this matter?

A couple of years I had surgery to remove skin cancer on my face and when I first saw the long scar with the black stitches, the red skin I was horribly shocked. I treated it with Rosa Mosqueta Oil (also called Hip rose) and now, you can't see it at all, except if you know where to look and come very close. Mosqueta oil is very recommended for scarring.

By a quick read on Dr. Google, it seems to be good for burns as well.
I didn't buy any specific brand but had it prepared by a pharmacist in one of those little brown bottles. It stains, because it's dark yellow/orange.

What is proved to help as well is a diet rich in vitamins C, E and A, so, as soon as you start weaning her there are some food you can prepare such as squash, broccoli, carrots. For other food, you'll have to wait a little more.
Hope this helps

Ps-Thank you Gordon-im sorry you went through that. I'm weaning her now to give her optimal healing opportunities-im actually pureeing some squash and carrots today. Yesterday was pureed fish and parsnip which she liked-all along with lots of breastfeeding

I have nothing constructive to offer but just wanted to say I really hope she makes a full recovery and it sounds like you are doing a brilliant job doing all you can for her.

What a week! Let us know how she's doing when you have news.

db.tt/jXmanO5u Excuse frame

Basically the Dr said there is an area he doesn't think will heal by 2.5 weeks post burn and so will need a skin graft on that area.
The bit nearest the top of her knee. Some drs allow for longer...so don't know what to do. I'm keen to get massaging and moisturising those healing bits but can't until all healing finished which wont be for another 4 weeks x

Here is the direct link to your pictures
7 days ago and now

I am speechless. Poor baby girl and poor you.
The change in one week is amazing.

I came across this article huffington. Maybe it's worth reading a little about it and eventually mentioning it to your GP. Here is the link to the research lab ReCell. If it is not free, I suggest the person who burned your little girl pays for it.

Do you mean the change in a week is a good change? It's a different angle too. If you can say luckily, it's mostly to the side and back of knee.

From a Consultant in burns:
The risk of hypertrophic scarring is much greater if wounds are left longer than 3 weeks and so in our unit we usually wait this long before grafting.

There is no good evidence for Recell for primary burn cover and it is used more for resurfacing and burn reconstruction. If the wound needs grafting perhaps a sheet graft could be used which scars better than a meshed graft. Either way I have to say that you are lucky to have xxx looking after DD, he really knows his stuff and I would trust his judgement.

What was the question?

Just read your links-ive been talking a lot to that little boy's mum and have read into recell-but as my previous post says-they're sceptical and unwilling. Besides my oh says they don't know 100% it wasn't the biobrane, it stuck on with him-on DD it didn't as o think those areas are unfortunately a deeper burn. Thank you though

The question was basically look at this picture (most recent one-yesterday) and do you think she'll need a graft and do you think recell will work for her.

I can only add another hopeful anecdote. A relative of mine had a cup of tea spilled on them as a baby. While they waited for the ambulance, her parents said her skin sloughed off under the cold water. The doctors were Very Concerned and gave off the vibe they thought they were unfit parents.

She grew up scar free. Maybe it was the treatment or her age, but somehow she hasn't a single mark.

I hope the great care she's getting makes her heal well :) Take care.

Just noticed this is in Behaviour and Development, OP, wonder whether you'd reach more people in _Chat?

Just reading this thread while feeding my 4 month old. How terrible this has happened to your beautiful baby.

I have no experience fortunately but I wanted to suggest you buy and aloe Vera plant. I sat on my hair straighteners and it was deep and oozing. All I had was the plant and you cut off a leaf and squeeze the sticky gel. After 2 days I couldn't feel a thing and now there's no scar at all.

Sorry I've seen you're already onto the aloe plant!

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you and I wasn't suggesting alternative route. I am glad to know you are in good hands.

Belacoros-maybe your relative didn't need any interventions or was told it would heal and not need a graft?

That's ok Gordon, you didn't upset me-im upset enough!I ust didn't know whether you were saying the change in one week was a good amazing or a bad?

And Marvellous-thank you-I think a lot of people have replied and I feel kinda deflated like I've given up hope now, it's been an exhausting week and all I can do now I think is wait the 10 days I need to and pray DD doesn't need that graft even though I've been told it's very likely she will.

How is your dd today? Fingers crossed that graft won't be necessary. xx

Thank you for asking, she is happy within herself apart from the painful dressing changes. The outer area is healing well and the deepest has some pink underneath but dtstill too early to say she definitely doesn't need a graft. The nurse said we wont know until next Monday at the Dr's review.

Just sending you a ton of sympathy, as I've just read your thread. How utterly heartbreaking and traumatic for you. I really hope your lo heals excellently and quickly. The only grain of comfort I can add is just a reminder that she won't remember this at all. My ds1 was very ill as a baby and in and out of hospital requiring feeding tubes and needles. It was a horribly stressful and distressing time, but all it is now is a memory. Ds1 is 5yo and remembers nothing about it, and doesn't even know that it happened. I'm a doctor and have seen nasty burns heal superbly. Children also have a greater capacity for healing well than adults. You're in the best possible place with regard her medical care. All the best x

im stunned but why on earth would anyone put a flask of boiling water anyone near a baby? i

It sounds as though lots of people on this thread have had positive outcomes after similar burns. My DS also made a full recovery from a coffee burn with no scarring. Young skin is so amazing. Give it time, it really will heal so much better than you can imagine at the moment.

I've looked at the 7 days pic and now and I'm no expert but I think that's an excellent recovery

I can't imagine how you're feeling. Until I saw the picture, I felt perhaps there could be a time when you would forgive but I don't blame you for feeling hatred towards this woman. I think you should take note of ALL the positive posts here as everyone healed well and I'm sure your DD will too. I have heard a lot about aloe Vera and I'm not sure if you would need the gelly or the propolis cream but certainly find out. Forever living products sell the best as it's only the liquid from inside the plant they use. I'd hope there would be something prescription based for this too.

Please keep us updated as we all feel your pain xx