This burn would likely meet criteria for inpatient management based on the described size and severity of the burn. Im surprised they would send you home. You should be able to lightly rinse the fibers off but every time you rinse it and if you have any abrasion, you risk destroying the epithelialization of new skin. There is a balance between dressing changes and allowing time for healing. Additionally moisture can increase the risk of infection. Generally speaking the fuzz is likely harmless, so you would have to use your judgement as to whether it needs to be removed based on the amount attached and any soiling or other factors present.If there is a significant amount, Id recommend a return to the emergency room for further management and discuss admission to the inpatient service or transfer to a burn center for further care. Burns often require more significant care than just the initial skin damage, especially if a significant portion of the trunk has been burned. In pediatric patients it is even more imperative to get proper care to ensure proper healing and limit future difficulties secondary to poor healing.They can be managed at home for minor burns, but if you are not comfortable with the care and it has not been described in enough detail that you feel comfortable, return to the ED. Your child will thank you in the future if you get proper care now. Its unfortunate that this may require an additional trip to the emergency room, but I wish you the best and hope your child has a speedy recovery.You may wish to try a different emergency room for a second opinion if you did not feel like you received adequate care at the first one.
Pediatric burnsMy daughter is 4 years old and was burned with hot water earlier today. She was taken to our local emergency room within about 20 minutes of the accident. The burns are on her chest/belly area covering approximately 65% of the front. The doctor did not specify but I believe it's 2nd degree burns as the top layer skin has came off. The er gave hycet plus gave her a prescription for hycet and silvadene cream. They gave some thin blue towels of hold over the burn area with instructions to not begin the cream or put anything else on it until it stops leaking fluid from the burn. Now she has blue towel fuzz stuck to the burn area and I was told not to wet the wound nor cover with anything else. I don't want to go against the er doctors instructions but I just have a bad feeling that this is going to end up infected. Do these instructions sound correct? Is there anything else I should be doing? Given the burn is on her chest I'm not sure I'm allowed to include a photo but if the mods allow it.