Steam Burns: The Basics and Prevention

A steam burn is caused when a person comes in contact with steam coming out of a cooker or boiling water. Like other burns, they vary in severity and it takes great care to treat such an injury.

Although steam burns may only cause the arm to turn red, it is possible to receive a third degree burn which results in blisters and the skin turning white. Since steam is invisible, a burn victim will not know he or she has been burned by it until there is a hot, fiery sensation on their body. As the steam melts into the skin, the burned body part could reach a temperature of 100 degrees Celsius.

If you or someone around you gets burned, the most important thing is to stay calm. Keep an eye on their condition and analyze the severity of the burn. The next step is to treat the area with a cooling lotion, such as a gel or spray that can be applied to the burn area. Do not try to rinse the burned body part in cold water. This doesn't do anything to make the warm sensation go away and will bring more pain.

In severe cases, you may not be able to treat a steam burn yourself. If a burn victim is having trouble breathing or if the burn area is larger than your palm, call 911 immediately. Cover the area with a nonstick bandage or gauze and keep the arm elevated above the heart until the paramedics arrive.

Children can be affected by steam burns in worse ways than adults can. In a journal of a study conducted by Drs. Siun Murphy, Dylan Murray, Susan Smith, and David Orr, seven children had serious problems related to steam inhalation. Six children had direct facial burns due to the hot steam spilling on their chest or lap. Four of the children had permanent scarring and for all of them, their burns caused excessive blistering.

However, these sometimes serious and always scary injuries can be prevented. In any restaurant or at your own home, it is important to follow these prevention tips so no one gets hurt unnecessarily:

Set the temperature of water at 120 degrees or less.

Take the lids off any cooking liquids carefully.

Always keep a set of oven mitts or pot holders near a stove and oven.

Do not use wet mitts or pot holders.

Turn pot handles towards the back of the stove while cooking to prevent children from getting a hold of them or anyone taller from bumping into them.