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Bad advice; bad burn: a new problem in burn prevention
L Deans1, H Slater, I W Goldfarb
1Western Pennsylvania Hospital, Pittsburgh.
The Journal of Burn Care & Rehabilitation
|November 1, 1990
Summary
Pediatricians sometimes advise using hair dryers for diaper rash, but this can cause serious infant burns. Burn centers urge warnings against this practice to improve child safety.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Burn Prevention
- Infant Health and Safety
Background:
- Diaper rash is a common infant issue.
- Some healthcare providers recommend hair dryers for treatment or prevention.
Observation:
- An infant sustained deep partial-thickness perineal burns from hair dryer use.
- A survey revealed half of local pediatricians/clinics advised hair dryer use for diaper rash.
Findings:
- Four tested hair dryers reached temperatures of at least 53°C within 2 minutes.
- This temperature is sufficient to cause burn injuries in infants.
Implications:
- Hair dryers pose a significant burn risk for infant perineal hygiene.
- Burn prevention programs should include warnings against this practice.
- Healthcare provider education on safe diaper rash management is crucial.