Skidding and falling is a part of growing-up. As such, it is essential for parents to know how to treat minor injuries of children. Parents should also be aware of what they need to do during emergencies. Read on to find about the first aid skills every parent should learn.Children are little angels sent from above but they are also very mischievous little angels with a penchant for getting into trouble. For kids it is the most natural thing to rough it out physically and this is precisely why parents always have to be on their guard. Every parent should understand that
minor accidents, scrapes and bruises are an integral part of childhood and are not major causes of concern. It is advisable to learn a few basic
first aid skills which you as a parent can quickly use to bring out your kid from a painful physical situation and help him or her heal faster.
Healing Cuts and Scrapes
As and when cuts and scrapes take place the damaged area should be gently cleaned with baby soap and soft water. Application of a little pressure on the area will stop the bleeding post which a sterile bandage will be used to cover up the wound. In case the blood flow is high intensity and does not stop or you can see a deep cut which has wounded the fat and muscle then contact a physician immediately. In case of a cut with rusted iron or metal it is imperative that a tetanus injection be delivered immediately.
Taking Care of Sprains
The best way to deal with
Sprains is to apply the RICE method that is RESTING the injured limb, putting ICE on it, COMPRESSING the area and then ELEVATING the limb. The limb can be rested using a sling or a splint and the ice should be wrapped in cloth before application. Eventually your child has to be examined by the physician if there is swelling, too much pain or the joint becomes immobile.
Dealing with Nose Bleeds
Help your kid sit straight up with the head leaning forward and then gently pinch the nose for some time until the bleeding stems. However, make sure that you do not press the nose hard and for longer time as it can cause breathing difficulty to your child. If the bleeding persists for more than 10 minutes call a doctor. Nose bleeding can occur due to many reasons so you should get to know whether this bleeding is due to head injury or other internal reasons.
Dealing with Choking
This is a potentially dangerous situation and your first reaction on seeing your
choking kid should be to call 911. Till the time you wait for professional help to arrive you can strike the zone between the two shoulder blades with the heel of the hand 5 times. If the choking does not stop apply thrust to the abdomen until the offending object (which has caused the choking) has dislodged itself. (These methods are applicable for children above one year). If all fails the 911 team has to step in with CPR methods. To be on a safer side it is always good for parents of small babies and young children to seek advice on methods of dealing with chocking from a doctor. Being prepared and aware of the treatment method will help parents to take right steps during emergencies if at all they arise.
Dealing with Stings and Insect Bites
The first thing you should do in such situations is to treat the affected area with a cold compress. If the skin is broken in several areas then wash it with soap and water and apply a first aid cream. In case an allergic reaction or severe itching occur call up a skin specialist. A full body spread rash, breathing problems, nausea, breathing problems are all warning signs of a
poisonous bite. Call emergency medical services immediately.
Poisoning in any form cannot be home treated and you should keep the phone number of poison control centre handy on your phone at all times. Remember that in times of emergency it is extremely important to keep a cool head and at least appear confident in front of your kid. Showing nervousness or fear can scare your kid further worsening the situation. With a little quick action and these tips you should be able to tide over emergency situations in a tactful manner.
Which basic first aid skills should parents learn? How to deal with insect bites and stings in children? What should parents do when there is an emergency? Discuss here.