Your child is destined to trip and fall from the time they take their first steps. While you can’t always keep your natural-born daredevil from getting wounded, you can plan ahead of time.
Begin by printing a one-page document that outlines any underlying diseases or allergies your kid has and the drugs and supplements they take (including dosage and frequency). Then glue a copy of their vaccination record to it. Keep one copy in your handbag, another at home, and a smartphone snapshot of it. In an emergency, these data might have an impact on the medical care your kid receives.
And what about relieving pain in the present? There are several things you may do to make them feel better. Here are our best tips for bandaging wounds, stocking a first-aid box, and soothing young patients—so you can cure any boo-boo quickly!
What to Do If You Have a Nosebleed
Nosebleeds are frequent in children and often appear scarier than they are. If your kid gets a nosebleed but appears alright, tilt their head forward and provide light pressure to the nasal region by squeezing both nostrils between your thumb and fingers. Do not allow your youngster to blow their nose. If the bleeding does not stop after 5-10 minutes or if it is excessive, contact your pediatrician or go to the emergency department.
What to Do for a Burn
Children do get burns from time to time, usually from coming into contact with hot or boiling water or hot items, such as hot irons. In these cases, the first thing you should do is remove your kid from the object or substance. To relieve discomfort, apply cold water to the burn. It is not suggested to use ice or other chemicals. Burns with blisters, as well as deep or very extensive burns, may necessitate medical attention.
What to Do for a Cut
Apply an antibiotic ointment and a bandage to the wound after flushing it with soap and water. If you detect blood through the bandage, apply direct pressure and elevate the damaged region above the heart for 15 minutes to stop the bleeding.
Don’t use alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or Betadine to clean a nasty cut (an antiseptic). Alcohol hurts like hell (which makes for a grumpy child), while hydrogen peroxide and betadine can harm the skin and impede healing.
Seek medical attention if a wound is big, gaping, or flowing with blood. If your child needs sutures, make an appointment with your doctor (provided your kid can be seen immediately). If you observe deep tissues, ligaments, or bone; if you can’t stop the bleeding within 15 minutes; or if you suspect a foreign body is implanted, go to the emergency room.
How to Treat Insect or Animal Bites
It’s never enjoyable, but your child will almost certainly be bitten by an insect or an animal at some point in their lives. Many insect bites and stings are painful but insignificant; animal bites nearly always need medical attention.
If your kid is stung and the stinger remains trapped in their skin, it must be removed. The Academy of American Pediatrics (AAP) suggests scraping it off using “a hard object (such as the edge of a credit card).” Cold compresses can be used to reduce swelling and discomfort. Inquire with your physician about over-the-counter pain relievers and the recommended dose for your kid.
What to Do if Your Child Ingests Poison
Call Poison Control if you believe your kid has consumed, breathed, or touched a harmful chemical (1-800-222-1222). This is a confidential and free service that is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If your kid has consumed a poisonous chemical, do not attempt to remove it or induce vomiting. Water should be used to flush infected skin. If your kid appears ill, sluggish, confused, or has difficulty breathing, dial 911 immediately.
Conclusion
The best way to prepare for a hospital visit? Be prepared. Talk to your doctor about the most likely injuries your child will experience. Make sure you have a first-aid kit stocked with everything you think you might need. And have a mental list of everything it contained that you can pull out if necessary.
If you’re looking for pediatric care doctors in NJ, Agile Urgent Care is the place for you! Our urgent care specialists will ensure that your child will get immediate medical attention should they need it to ease your worries. Reach out today to schedule a consultation!
