Journal Entry

A parent’s guide to first-aid for kids

For parents, first-aid comes with the territory of having children. Here is a guide to a few of the most common injuries and what you should do.

First-aid for scrapes and cuts

Minor flesh wounds can bleed a lot, especially on the face. Don’t panic. Rinse the wound under clean water so you can see what you’re dealing with. Then, apply pressure with the cleanest cloth available—sterile gauze if possible. If blood soaks through the first pad, don’t replace it, just put another pad directly on top. Lifting the pad releases the pressure you’ve put on the wound; it also pulls away any scabbing and clotting that has formed, removing the body’s natural healing mechanisms. Elevate the cut above your child’s heart to help slow the bleeding.

Seek medical attention if : The cut severs a part of the body, bleeding cannot be controlled, the blood is spurting or continues to soak through pads. These are all emergencies.You might also want to call the doctor if the cut’s edges are wide or if it is on the lip and it crosses onto the pink border of the face.

First-aid for simple sprains

A sprain is a stretch or tear of a ligament or tendon. Your child will complain of pain, have difficulty moving the injured part and might have bruising or swelling. For the first 48 hours, practice R.I.C.E.: rest, ice (no more than 20 minutes at a time), compression (for at least the first two days) and elevation (above the heart). If your child tolerates it, you can help him with the pain by giving him ibuprofen. Always follow dosing instructions.

Seek medical attention immediately if : The sprain looks like a broken bone. Signs of something serious can include your child exhibiting severe pain if the area is touched or moved or if your child can bear absolutely no weight on the area. If your child has a pins and needles sensation in the area, or if there are obvious signs of a break, like a misshapen limb, go to the emergency room. You may need to seek medical attention if there are signs of infection, like the area being abnormally warm to the touch.

First-aid for broken bones

All broken bones require prompt medical attention. Remove clothing from the area and place a cold compress on it with as little pressure as you can. Keep the compress wrapped in a cloth. Do NOT move the bone. If the bone has broken through the skin, do not attempt to press it back in.

If there is concern of a broken neck, do not move your child. Call for emergency medical personnel to transport him to the nearest medical facility. Keep your child calm and wait for assistance.

First-aid for identifying and treating burns

Burns are divided into three categories called degrees. First degree burns result from brief contact with a heat source, resulting in a red, painful mark on the skin and probably some swelling. A second degree burn is more severe and will be redder and often leave a blister. A third degree burn is the most severe but is often painless due to nerve damage.

If your child is burned, remove all clothing from the affected area, except clothing that may be stuck or melted to the skin. Run cool, but not cold water over the burn. Do NOT put any ointments, home remedies or butter on any burn, as they will trap the heat of the burn on the skin and cause continuing pain and damage to the skin. If it’s a first degree burn, place sterile, dry gauze over the burn to protect it and let it heal.

Seek emergency medical attention if : The burn was the result of a large fire, an electrical burn, or is on your child’s face, scalp or genitals. Seek medical attention if your child’s burn appears to be infected. Signs of an infected burn include puss leaking out or streaking on the skin near the burn site.

First-aid for a knocked-out tooth

If your child’s toothy grin is damaged, first determine whether it’s a permanent or baby tooth. A baby tooth has a smooth edge. If it’s a baby tooth, you likely won’t need to do anything, as a permanent tooth will eventually replace it.

If it’s a permanent tooth, find it and try to handle it by the top part only, the crown. A dentist can put it back in, but it has to be done within 30 minutes. The dentist will have the most luck reinserting it if you keep the tooth and your child’s tooth socket moist.

Rinse your child’s mouth with saline solution or milk. Do not scrub and only use tap water as a last resort as it contains chlorine which will dry out the socket. To keep the roots of the tooth moist, you have a few options. If your child is old enough, ask him to stick the tooth back in the hole and hold it there until you get to the dentist. If not, you can hold it in your own mouth, jamming it between your cheek and lower gum. Or, you can drop it in a glass of milk.

Bumps on the head, scrapes to the knee and bruises are all part of being kids. Wiping the tears and knowing what to do is what they rely on you for.

Resources on first aid for children

First-aid for teeth First-aid for sprains and strains First-aid for burns First-aid for cuts First-aid for broken bones