Family Resources

• Has a fever greater than 101.5°F, difficulty breathing or increased sleepiness.
• Has thick, bad smelling fluid from the burn wound
• Has redness around the burn
• Has bleeding that continues after applying constant pressure for two minutes
• Has a dressing that will not stay in place
• Has a dressing which has moved off the burn and you can see the burned area
• Has an outer dressing that is completely wet
• Will not eat or drink. No urination or wet diapers in 8 hours
• Has pain that does not go away after using acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or ibuprofen (Motrin®)

• Watch the video At Home, Dressing Changes; This will guide you step by step on how to change the dressing and clean the burn.
• Long-acting burn dressing: Do not clean the burn. Dressing to remain in place. Keep the dressing dry. Dressing change to be done in the Burn Clinic at your next appointment.
• Change the dressing and clean the burn once or twice a day:
  • You may give your child acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or ibuprofen (Motrin®) 30 minutes before you clean the burn.
  • Soak your child’s burn wound in warm, soapy water for 10 minutes. Younger children may soak in a tub and play while older children may prefer to take a shower.
  • Wash your hands before cleaning your child’s burn.
  • Use a mild soap, such as Dove® or Johnson & Johnson® Baby Soap with a clean, wet washcloth to gently wash the burn. This will remove all of the medication from the burn.
    • Be sure to wash away any dead skin.
    • The burn may bleed. Some bleeding is OK. If bleeding occurs, apply pressure to the burn.
  • Gently pat the burn with a clean towel or gauze pad until it is dry.
  • Using a tongue depressor or clean fingers, apply a thin layer of medication to the gauze.
  • Cover the burn with the gauze. Make sure cream side touches the burn.
  • Cover the burn with the gauze dressing and wrap with Kling®. Use tape to secure the dressing.

• After burns have healed, it's recommended that your child return to regular bathing with mild soap and water.
• At least twice a day, massage the scar with a gentle moisturizer. Use Bacitracin^® for any secondary trauma.
• It's important to minimize sun exposure. Your child should wear protective clothing and use a mineral-based (zinc or titanium) sunscreen with SPF 25 to prevent secondary damage.
• We recommended sunscreen application every few hours when the burned area is exposed to sun. This is most important for the first six months to one year post-burn.

For more information, view the "Scar Management of Healed Burns" PDF below. 

• Compression garments should be worn for 23 hours each day. They may be removed for bathing and scar massage.
• Continue to do scar massage at least (2) times each day with Aquaphor or a similar thick moisturizer.
• To clean the garment: Hand wash in warm soapy water (Dawn dish soap is recommended, but mild detergent works as well).
• To dry the garment: Lay on a towel, roll it up, gently wring it out and allow to air dry.
• To garments DO NOT provide sun protection. Please apply sunscreen before putting the garment on if you will be outside.

Garment Replacements

Contact us in 2-3 months to be fit for a new compression garment. You may call sooner if the garment has been outgrown or if you note any rips in the garment.

• Call 202-895-3860 to schedule an appointment at our Children’s National Compression Clinic in Friendship Heights.
• Call 202-476-2150 to schedule an appointment at our Children’s National Compression Clinic at our main hospital. 
• Email us with any questions or concerns.