Parents and carers are being urged to be vigilant with children around hot food following a spike in cases of scalding burns from instant noodles, according to a major Sydney hospital.
Ten children have been treated for burns from the popular snack at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead (CHW) in the last month, including five in the past week alone.
Experts say the most common injuries were burns to the thighs or genital area, caused by children accidentally spilling the boiling water on themselves.
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The hospital also reported cases of burns seen in toddlers who had pulled the containers down from where they had been left to cool.
CHW head of burns unit Dr Torey Lawrence said it could take less than a second for spilled instant noodles to cause a severe burn.
“Boiling water in hot noodle containers can take an hour to cool down to a safe temperature after cooking,” Lawrence said.
“This means accidents like spilling the hot water from instant noodles can cause long-lasting injuries and lifelong scarring for children.”
Dakota from Shellharbour was among the recent children hospitalised with burns from an instant noodle accident.
The 11-year-old was scalded on her thighs and torso after spilling instant noodles from a cup while eating from her lap in the car.
Mum Monica said the accident happened in just a moment, as she was driving.
“For a second of losing focus, Dakota let go of the cup in her lap and as I turned a corner the noodles spilled on her,” she said.
“I heard her scream and pulled over.”
Jumping to her daughter’s aid, Monica gave Dakota cold water to pour over herself and rushed her home for a cold shower.
She received local treatment through CWH’s Kidsburn digital referral service and is not expected to be left with major scarring.
Lawrence urged parents to keep a close eye on children when hot food and drink was involved.
“It is important to remember hot food and drink that may be a good temperature for an adult can cause a significant burn to a child,” Lawrence said.
“Children’s skin is comparatively thinner than adults and even a small amount of hot liquid can cause deeper, more extensive, and more severe burns.”
Lawrence suggested implementing simple measures such as having an adult remove the container from the microwave, draining the hot water from the noodles before serving, and ensuring children ate at the table instead of from their laps.
If an accident does occur, run the affected area under cold water as soon as possible for 20 minutes and seek medical treatment if necessary, Lawrence said.
Experts say immediate first aid is vital to reduce the severity of a burn.
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