12-year-old boy suffers severe burns while conducting alcohol burning experiment at home

Tự làm thí nghiệm đốt cồn tại nhà, bé trai 12 tuổi bỏng nặng - Ảnh 1. — Children receive daily wound care from doctors and nurses at the orthopedic department - Photo: BVCC

According to the patient’s father, at the time of the incident, the child was playing alone in the bathroom. The family did not know the child was playing with alcohol until they heard cries for help and discovered flames coming from the child’s body.

Relatives immediately put out the fire and quickly took the child to the National Children's Hospital for emergency treatment. At the emergency and anti-poison department, after examination and necessary tests, doctors diagnosed the child with second- and third-degree alcohol-induced thermal burns, covering ~19% of the body surface area.

Doctor Phung Cong Sang, in charge of the burn unit, Deputy Head of the Orthopedic Department of the National Children's Hospital, informed: "As soon as the child is admitted to the hospital, he is given emergency treatment according to a specialized treatment regimen: sedation, pain relief, fluid replacement, cleaning the burn and bandaging the wound with specialized gauze that has antiseptic and pain-relieving effects, minimizing further burns.

During the treatment process, the team of doctors and nurses not only focus on wound care but also stabilize the child's psychology, provide nutritional guidance and psychological counseling, helping the child to receive better treatment."

Thanks to being taken to the hospital promptly and treated properly, the child's health has stabilized and he has been discharged.

Dr. Sang shared that alcohol burns are one of the common causes of thermal burns in daily life, especially in children who are curious and like to explore and experiment with flammable substances. Most of the incidents occur when there is no adult supervision.

Alcohol burns are also divided into three levels like thermal burns: mild, moderate and severe. At any level, timely and proper first aid plays an important role in limiting damage and preventing complications.

bỏng cồn - Ảnh 3. — Alcohol burns are very dangerous and can cause deep damage and serious infection if not treated properly - Photo: BVCC

When alcohol burns occur, parents need to:

Stop contact with alcohol, move children away from the fire area to avoid re-burning. If clothes catch fire, put out the fire by covering the burned area with a wet towel or cloth. Do not use flammable materials such as plastic to put out the fire.

Remove clothing and accessories around the burn area, such as rings, bracelets, and necklaces.

Cool the burn area by pouring or placing the wound under clean, cool water for 10-30 minutes (be careful to keep the unburned area warm, avoid hypothermia in children). Never use ice or apply ice directly as this can make the injury worse.

Gently bandage the burn area with clean gauze or a sterile towel, avoiding bandaging too tightly. Do not apply medication to the burn area without a doctor's instructions. After first aid, take the child to the nearest medical facility for examination and timely treatment.