After a Burn: When to Call Your Child's Healthcare Provider

It is important to contact your child's healthcare provider in the following situations:  

• If your child is not eating or drinking well

• If there is antisocial or disruptive behavior at home or school

• If there are signs of infection (healing burn areas change and become red, warm, swollen, extremely tender, or have a foul odor)

• If there is uncontrollable itching

• If the scar cracks open or splits

• If the tissues around a joint tighten and the joint loses mobility (contracture)

• If the burn is on an arm or leg and the child has trouble moving that limb and thee affected fingers or toes

• If there is excessive swelling in the injured area

• If your child's temperature is greater than 101.5° F (38.6° C) rectally or orally

• If it seems that the dressing changes are painful for your child (you may want to discuss pain medicine with your healthcare provider)