Kids can benefit from sports and other physical activities in terms of health and fitness, but there is always the risk of injury. Scrapes and sprains are a feature of life for most children. The ability to respond appropriately in such situations is so invaluable.
Youngsters will inevitably get wounded from time to time. Learn how to help your child remain calm in the face of any emergency, from cuts and scrapes to nosebleeds and sprained ankles.
Here are some ways to deal with kids’ minor injuries:
Cuts, scrapes, and deep wounds
Damage to the skin from a collision includes cuts, grazes, lacerations, and other similar wounds. These injuries are frequent in children and can happen during any number of activities, including play, sports, accidents, and daily life. You can follow these steps:
- The first and foremost priority is to try to stop the bleeding. Although it is recommended that you use clean rubber gloves or hand sanitizer before tending to a wound, you should not wait to treat the injury if either of these options is unavailable.
- Direct pressure with a clean, dry towel on the wound is recommended. If you’re at home, a tea towel will do the trick, but if you’re out and about, a scarf or other article of clothing will do the trick just as well.
- Pressure applied to a wound when the limb is elevated above the level of the heart can reduce the rate at which blood is gushing out of the wound.
- Press down for a full five minutes.
Nosebleed
A child’s nose can be pinched right below the nasal bone by tilting the head forward and using a towel or wad of tissue. You might also get relief by using a tiny amount of nasal spray in each nostril. Since oxymetazoline hydrochloride works by constricting blood vessels, using it as a nasal decongestant can stop a nosebleed in its tracks.
Ten to fifteen minutes in this position should be enough to halt the bleeding. Be patient! You’ll be at this longer than you anticipate, so schedule a reminder call or get in touch with the best Pediatrician. After the nosebleed has stopped and a clot has formed, you can dab some Vaseline inside the nostril to keep it moist.
Blisters
If you get a blister, don’t pop it. The wound may become infected as a result.
- Dot on some antibiotic cream.
- Cover with gauze and seal with hypoallergenic tape to help protect the skin and prevent infection.
- At least once a day until it’s healed, change the dressing.
- Hold the area under a cool tap for 10 to 15 minutes to cool the skin, ease pain, and stop swelling.
- If the pain persists after 24 to 48 hours, apply ice wrapped in a towel instead.
- To further alleviate pain and promote skin cell regeneration, a topical antibiotic ointment should be applied, such as bacitracin.
- If you’re worried that your kid is still in discomfort, pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen are a good idea.
- Just let it bubble up if it starts to blister; the bubble will act as a protective barrier against infection. When the blister naturally breaks open, cover it with antibiotic ointment and a clean bandage.
Splinter
Try using tweezers, a needle, or wrapping tape to get rid of a splinter (sterilized first). If you’ve managed to get rid of it, you can clean the area with soap and water.
If you detect signs of illness over the next few days (redness, warmth, pus), notify your physician. If you break off the splinter or you are unable to remove it, you should also seek medical attention. Don’t bother trying for more than 5 minutes at a time. Now is the time to take your kid to the pediatrician. Your child will be less anxious, and you’ll have an easier time removing the splinter if you do this.
Strains and sprains
When a muscle is stretched to its breaking point, we say that it has been strained. A bruised appearance is possible. Several hours later, pain, discomfort, and swelling may set in.
Sprains are more serious injuries that can cause ligament tears. Overstretching of the ligament causes a minor sprain. Sprains of a more serious nature can tear the ligament, either in part or completely.
Sprains typically cause rapid swelling at the site of the injury. Your kid may be in a lot of discomfort. It’s not uncommon for sprains to feel like a broken bone and take weeks to recover.
In the event of a sprain or strain, your child must refrain from putting any weight on the affected area. It’s as simple as RICE if you think about it:
- Stay in bed and let the hurt body part heal
- Reduce swelling by applying ice or cold compresses several times a day.
- Use a splint or bandage to apply pressure to the injured region and reduce swelling.
- Raise the damaged area above the level of the heart.
Conclusion
Kids are typically careless because of all the running, climbing, and exploring they do. The majority of injuries sustained by falls are superficial, such as scratches or scrapes. However, some cases are much more severe and require prompt medical attention.
An infection in a deep or large wound can be a major issue. Get in touch with a child specialist in Lahore.
FAQs
1. How can I avoid having my child’s wound leave a scar?
All wounds heal faster if you take good care of them and make sure your kid eats well. A lighter scar can be achieved by avoiding sun exposure on the healed lesion for at least a year. Once the incision has closed, applying moisturizer in a massaging motion may also aid in scar healing. Although vitamin E lotion has been recommended by some, there is no scientific evidence to support its use in the treatment of scars.
2. Why do children tend to recover quickly from injuries?
Furthermore, young bodies are continuously developing. To maintain and strengthen bones and muscles, the body constantly expends a great deal of its energy and resources. The organs are developing and expanding. Because the body is always doing this anyway, the healing process is accelerated.
3. How long do some bones take to mend?
However, regardless of age, some bones recover more quickly than others. The humerus, or upper arm bone, can recover in a few weeks, but forearm fractures take significantly longer to mend. The thighbone (femur) is the longest and strongest bone in the body and is difficult to shatter without severe force.
