First Aid At Home For Children

In the current COVID19 pandemic when it is advisable to stay at home and avoid visiting hospitals for minor issues, I hope this small article is going to help you sail through the stress.

Most parents are bound to face small medical emergencies at home with their small athletes mastering new skills and trying them out in the lockdown. If the caregivers are aware what to do and have basic first aid home supply handy, it's much easier to deal with these emergencies.

It is also important to know when to seek immediate medical care in spite of the first aid.

First aid kit at home should consist of

• Thermometer
• Bandages
• Latex free gloves
• Fever / pain reducing medication like paracetamol or ibuprofen
• Antibiotic ointment like neosporin
• Gauze piece (non sticky) and tape
• Elastic bandage
• Ice pack

Document containing Paediatrician number and medical history of the child

Minor CUTS OR SCRAPES

Make sure the child is up to date for tetanus vaccination. Any open wound may need a tetanus booster even when the child is currently immunized. If the child has an open wound, it’s time to get in touch with paediatrician if the child needs a tetanus booster.

Rinse small cuts and scrapes under running water with soap or with antibiotic solution after rinsing with running water.Apply an antibiotic ointment and cover with a non-adhesive bandage

In case of small scratch without bleeding, covering of wound may not be needed.

In case of bleeding, apply pressure with gauze for 1-2 minutes. If bleeding persists, reinforce with more gauze or clean cloth

In case there is persistent oozing / pus/ swelling / pain, remember its that time when you need to get in touch with your Pediatrician.

Nose Bleeding

• Pinch the nose with thumb and index finger for 2-5 minutes.
• Make the child sit straight and lean forward and breathe through mouth
• Avoid blowing nose during or immediately after bleed.

Sprains And Strains

• If an injured area is painful, swollen, or deformed, or if motion causes pain, wrap it in a towel or soft cloth and make a splint with cardboard or other firm material to hold the arm or leg in place.
• Do not try to straighten. Keep the affected area elevated.
• Apply ice or a cool compress wrapped in thin cloth for not more than 20 minutes.
• If the foot or hand below the injured part is cold or discoloured rush to emergency services.

Fever

• Take the child's temperature to see if he /she has a fever. Consider any thermometer reading 100.4°F (38°C) or higher as a fever. However, the way the child looks and acts is more important than how high the child's ¬temperature is.
• To make the child more comfortable, dress him in light clothing, give him cool liquids to drink, and keep him calm.
• Give him the age appropriate dose of paracetamol and sponge the child with tepid water if fever is not coming down.
• Call the paediatrician right away if the child has a fever and: Appears very ill, is unusually drowsy, or is very fussy
• Has other symptoms such as a stiff neck, a severe ¬headache, severe sore throat, severe ear pain, an ¬unexplained rash, repeated vomiting or diarrhoea, or difficulty breathing
• Has had a first seizure but is no longer seizing

Severe Bleeding

If the blood is rapidly oozing out, rush to hospital. Until you can get medical attention, wash your hands or wear gloves and apply firm pressure with a sterile gauze or cloth (if you have one available) and keep the wound elevated above the heart.

If blood continues to ooze through the bandage, reinforce the old dressing with a new layer without removing the old ones. If you don’t have a cloth or gauze available, use clothing or even your hand to cover the bleed, but don’t remove the pressure until you get medical help.