Hi mommies!!! Thanks in advance for your comments and suggestions!!!
My almost 4 year old grabbed a hot sparkler with his thumb and middle finger. The skin has calloused over, and he says they don't hurt anymore, however, I am concerned about the redness under the callouses. (To give some kind of description of the burns, I feel it was "deep" enough to permanently alter his fingerprints....) If anyone has ever experienced this or has any medical knowledge that could help ease my worried mind, it would be greatly appreciated.
First, I want to thank all of the mommies who responded to my question!! Thank you so much for your concern and support. After reading your responses, I realized that feeling you get in your guts says it all, and that my motherly instincts were right on the money. I will never doubt that gut feeling ever again!!! Second, for those of you who asked why I didn't take him to the Doc immediately, I wanted to take him to the ER the night it happened...however, hubby said he was fine. Little man is doing great. He's using both fingers without any trouble. The doctor said they were 2nd degree burns; she cut the blisters, drained them, put burn cream on them, and gave me an RX for an antibiotic burn cream. Thanks again mommies!!!!
Health and safety are not something to compromise.
You don't know what you don't know. This forum is simply different opinions from moms. You need professional advice.
If I was at all concerned about any health or safety issue with my daughter, I would not hesitate to get her to a Dr.
Why wouldn't you take your child to the doctor right away!? Those things burn at like 1800 degrees! They can cause horrible burns and if the injury wasn't cleaned properly he could get a bad infection.
And just the other day a mom on here was mocking people for not liking sparklers and being overly protective.
You really need to have it looked at by a doctor. If nothing else, they would need to see him to prescribe a burn cream to help in the healing process (there is nothing OTC that it really appropriate). Don't risk infection.
I am sorry that your son got hurt.
Get him to a Dr. asap.
I would get him to the doctor. Recently two fireworks experts were talking about their least favorite "firework" in a newspaper, and sparklers was that one. They said they dislike them the most because people think they are safe when in reality they burn just as hot as any other firework! I think I was more bummed about the article than my son was (since it completely convinced me not to do them this year). I hope his fingers are better soon!
Sparklers are just as dangerous as any other firework...but they look fun so we forget the dangers sometimes! :( I sure hope the 4 year old is ok, but that burn is probably rather deep and dangerous. There could be an infection down in there if that burn was not scrubbed out properly. A doctor could take one look at it and let you know.
I hope he feels better soon. It will take time to heal up. Sparklers burn very hot. The sparks from a sparkler can melt glass. A doctor visit wouldn't be a bad idea. They'd make sure it's scabbing over alright and might be able to tell you how long it might take to heal.
I urge you to seek medical attention. I know someone who was burnt with a sparkler and it caused scarring. They didn't think it was that serious so they didn't go to the doctors or hospital. When the peditrician saw it he had to call social services because he felt like the parents hid it instead of dealing with it directly. It made it look like it wasn't an accident because they never went for medical attention. Of course, it was an accident but if they had it to do all over again, they would definitely have taken him to the doctors to get checked out right away.JMHO.
The burns that do not hurt are the deepest ones. If there is no pain, then that means there is mild to moderate nerve damage in the skin. The myth is, "It doesn't hurt, so its probably not so bad!" But it all honesty, that kind of burn is the worst type. Have him into the doctor today to find out what they recommend be done. Good luck!!
Keep his fingers clean, that's your biggest danger. The skin might peel and you'll need to keep the germs out.
Other than that, I would't worry. There is nothing a doctor can do for you unless he requires a skin graft or has an infection. If he's not feelng pain then just put a bandaid over it to keep the germs out for the next few days (change when it gets wet) and he'll heal just fine. If it starts to ooze pus and stink while turning an angry red, then take him to the doc as that means infection.
His body is an amazing thing. I am betting this hurts you more than it hurts him. I hope he heals quickly
Hi.
As an artist I have cut myself on my fingertips and as a young kid had a few minor burns.
If you think it was so deep that there is a loss of finger prints you would have known at the onset because it would have been so painful ,you probably would have taken him to the ER. If this is not the case ,the healing is slow so there is swelling underneath the burn. There are ointments to keep out infections and soaking in mineral salt a couple of times a day will probably knock out the infection or chance of infection.
Good luck,
L.
Back when I was little, in prehistoric times, the sparklers were made of metal. I spilled a box of unlit ones and as I was picking them up, I grabbed one that was still hot. It seared my hand. It was awful. The burns took a long time to heal, but I didn't have any permanent scarring and my fingerprints are okay.
Burns blister and callus because they actually heal from the inside out.
I would take your little one to the doctor though, just to have him checked, because burns can get infected. Also, they can give you some awesome burn cream that takes the pain away almost immediately. Burns are so painful.
Little kids are funny....they can scream their heads off over the tiniest scratch or not make a peep over something serious.
I'd get him checked out.
Best wishes.
