Any patient suspected of having upper airway burn should be considered for intubation as obstruction can progress rapidly. Give O 2 at high flow rates. Arrange a carboxyhaemoglobulin level. Consider for hyperbaric O 2 . Provide adequate analgesia By I.V. injection.
Burns are a very painful injury.
Early use of analgesia makes subsequent procedures such as insertion of IV cannulas, bathing and dressing easier both for the patient and the staff. When the child's condition is stabilised, consideration can be given to the use of continuous morphine infusion. Nitrous oxide inhalation is useful analgesia for the bath in children over 1 year. Damaged capillaries leak protein rich fluid. This is seen as exudate on the surface or oedema.