New research presented at the 2023 AAP National Conference & Exhibition reveals that electronic hair styling products, such as curling irons, are a frequent cause of burn injuries, particularly among young children. The study, titled “Burn Injuries in Children from Hair Styling Tools Presenting to United States Emergency Departments, 2013–2022: Beauty is More Than Skin Deep,” sheds light on the concerning prevalence of burn injuries stemming from these household items.
Between 2013 and 2022, the research identified a total of 30,839 burn injuries attributed to hair styling tools, resulting in 1,050 visits to emergency departments in the United States. Hair curlers and curling irons were responsible for 97.4% of these reported burn injuries.
Lead author CPT Brandon L. Rozanski, MD, a pediatric resident at Tripler Army Medical Center, emphasized the potential dangers associated with electric hair styling tools. These devices can rapidly reach temperatures as high as 450ºF, making them a common source of unintentional burn injuries for both users and bystanders.
Of the cases examined, 68% of the injured individuals were aged 10 or younger, and 65.1% were female. The majority of these incidents, approximately 72.3%, occurred within the home setting. Fortunately, 98.6% of these injuries did not necessitate hospitalization or further escalation of care.
“This study demonstrated that children have the greatest propensity to present to the emergency department with burn injuries sustained from hair styling tools,” CPT Rozanski noted. “Using this information, clinicians have a unique opportunity to provide targeted anticipatory guidance to educate families on the hazards associated with the everyday use of electric hair styling tools. This guidance should also underscore the importance of age-appropriate use, with or without parental supervision.” The study’s findings emphasize the importance of caution and safety measures when using these common beauty tools, especially in households with young children.
