Can Steam Burn a Child’s Skin?
What is a steam burn, and how is it different from other scalds?
Steam burns are a specific category of scald injury caused by water vapor rather than liquid water. They penetrate deeper layers of skin than a hot liquid burn at a similar temperature, tissue damage happens more rapidly, they carry a higher risk of progressing to a third degree burn and they are more likely to result in permanent scarring. Doctors sometimes call these thermal injuries, meaning damage caused by heat. Common sources include steam escaping from a pot lid, a wet pot holder used near heat, a malfunctioning steamer or humidifier, and hot appliances like irons or coffee makers that release steam unexpectedly.
How does a burn from a steamer happen?
Steamers, whether kitchen food steamers, garment steamers or facial steamers, are a common source of pediatric steam burns because they release concentrated bursts of hot vapor, often without much warning. A child can be burned by reaching toward or touching a steamer while it is venting, by a steamer that tips over or malfunctions, by a caregiver who removes a lid or opens a steamer compartment without checking whether a child is nearby, or by a defective steamer that vents steam from an unintended place such as a cracked seal or valve. Because steamers produce concentrated heat in a small area, injuries from them can be more severe than a general kitchen scald, even from brief contact.
Are hot steam vaporizers and steam inhalation safe for children?
No. Pediatricians warn against steam inhalation and hot mist vaporizers for children with colds, because a child can lean into the steam or knock the unit over and be scalded on the face, chest or lap. Cool mist humidifiers placed out of a child’s reach are the safer choice. Other less obvious steam sources include microwaved food and popcorn bags opened toward the face, steam from a dishwasher opened mid cycle, hot car radiators and steam rising from a pot of boiling pasta.
What does a steam burn on the arm or another body part look like?
What are the symptoms of a steam burn in a child?
A child may not be able to explain how bad the injury feels, so watch for reddened skin, blistering, swelling, numbness in the affected area and severe pain, or in more serious burns, surprisingly little pain because of nerve damage. In more severe cases the skin may turn white instead of red, with significant blistering and a risk of permanent scarring. Pain from a steam burn can last for hours or longer, and it often peaks as the skin swells. Depending on the size and location, steam burns can become life threatening, which is why any burn covering a significant area or affecting the face, hands, feet or genitals warrants emergency medical attention.
What should you do immediately after a child's steam burn?
Move the child away from the steam and cool the affected skin under cool running water for 20 minutes. Keep the rest of the child warm. Do not use ice, butter or oils, and do not pull away clothing stuck to the skin. Seek medical advice for a child’s burn; call 911 for a life-threatening emergency. After cooling, use a clean, non-fluffy covering without wrapping tightly. Follow the treating clinician’s advice. See the British Red Cross guidance for children’s burns.
How long does a steam burn take to heal?
Do steam burns scar?
Who can be held liable for a child's steam burn injury?
Steam burns in children often happen because an adult responsible for their care failed to take reasonable precautions, and liability depends heavily on where and how the injury occurred. If an adult has taken on responsibility for a child’s care and fails to take reasonable steps to prevent a foreseeable steam burn hazard, such as leaving a child unsupervised near an active stove or steamer, that failure can constitute negligent supervision, and the caregiver may be liable for damages. A daycare center can be directly liable if its owners or operators knew about a steam hazard on the premises and failed to address it, and it can be vicariously liable if an employee responsible for supervising children failed to exercise reasonable care and that failure led to a child being burned. If a child is a guest in someone else’s home and suffers a steam burn due to the homeowner’s negligence, such as an unsafely positioned appliance or an unaddressed known hazard, the homeowner may be held liable under general negligence principles. A business may be liable under premises liability law when a child is burned due to a safety violation or negligent condition on its property, such as an improperly maintained steam producing appliance in a restaurant or spa, though some states limit this liability if the child was trespassing. Related pages cover daycare injuries, caretaker negligence and neglect and lack of supervision.
How Can You Discuss a Child’s Steam Burn With a Lawyer?
If your child has suffered a steam burn because of someone else’s negligence, you do not have to navigate the medical and legal fallout alone. Our team can help you understand your options and pursue the compensation your family may be owed. Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation.
