Burns in Children Caused by Hair Straighteners: Epidemiology and Investigation of Heating/Cooling Curves

Abstract

We recently encountered a number of burns in young children caused by hair straighteners and decided to study their epidemiology. We carried out a retrospective audit from 1999 to 2006. We also conducted laboratory testing of the thermal profiles of four brands of hair straighteners. Eighteen children (aged 8 months to 13.5 years, mean 2.1 years) sustained hair straightener burns. Most (13/18) affected the upper limbs and six involved the lower limbs. Three (16.6%) children required surgery. The mean peak temperature of the straighteners was 169.5 degrees C (337.1 degrees F). The straighteners that we tested remained at a temperature above 80 degrees C (176 degrees F) for between 6 and 8 minutes. A third of the hair straightener burns occurred when the appliance was switched "OFF" and cooling down. The children affected are very young. Thus, any prevention campaign should target parents. Children should be well supervised and the straighteners should be placed safely out of their reach while they are cooling. Parents should be warned of the risks to young children, even when straighteners have been switched off. Manufacturers should supply suitable cooling bags.

Ceramic flat irons: Improper use leading to acquired trichorrhexis nodosa

“…15,16 Skin burns can occur in users and, recently, there have been reports that these devices should be considered household hazards because of the risk of accidental skin burns in children. 15,16 Studies have shown that temperatures of 1758C to 2158C for 5 minutes are sufficient to damage most hair; this threshold may be lower if the heat is applied to damp or chemically treated hair 1,[8][9][10]17 (Figs 3 and 4). Proper use of flat irons involves application of the implement to dry hair, and specialized products may be applied to the hair before pressing to help prevent the burning and allow for smoother hair that remains straight longer.…”

The price of vanity and the innocent bystander: Hair straighteners and paediatric contact burns

“…Both have different thermodynamic profiles, for example the ceramic versus the metallic The majority in the literature so far are partial thickness burns requiring conservative management. 3,8,10 However, since these burns are regular to children <5 years and to their hands and feet, these are both categories noted in the guidelines set out in the national burn care review requiring referral to a burns unit. 7 Our cases were not all partial thickness and indeed one necessitated admission because of infection with systemic embarrassment.…”

“…4 It has been suggested that product packaging should be labelled with warning notices and that various design modifications should be considered such as a safety catch to allow the jaws of the appliance to be locked together when not in use or a heat resistant 'quiver' in which to rest the device 3 or suitable cooling bags. 8 Public heath campaigns have also been suggested in order to target the consumer. 6 …”

“…3,6,8,10 They consist of a pair of plates mounted in a hinged plastic casing, which is held closed during use. The jaws of the appliance are open in its resting position, leaving the plates exposed (Fig.…”

Thermal injuries caused by hair straightening devices in children: a significant, but preventable problem

“…More recently, as the fickle winds of fashion have changed, so too have the patterns of burns involving hair appliances (Duncan, Waterston, Beattie, & Stewart, 2006). In recent years, several authors have reported the increase in incidence of contact burns from hair straightening devices affecting children (Breuning & Papini, 2007;Mehta, Barnes, Edwin, & Pape, 2008;Wilson Jones, Wong, & Potokar, 2008). These studies have reported on the demographics, epidemiology, impact of injury and heating and cooling curves of the internal surfaces of the hair straightening devices.…”