Sneeze and Sniffle!

FIRST AID
by:
American Academy of Pediatrics

Now that summer is here there will be many cuts and bruises. Many stings and bites. We can't forget head injuries or fractures and sprains. None of us want to see our kids get hurt but as my husband told me "They can't live in a bubble and they are going to get hurt". So, the only thing we can do is be prepared if something does happen. First Aid safety is important to know. I have taken these first aid safety tips from The American Academy of Pediatrics.  I will be discussing a new topic daily, so be sure to check back for more information.

As always call 911 or an emergency number for ANY severely injured child!


Stings and Bites

Stinging Insects- Remove the stinger as quickly as possible with the scraping motion of a finger nail. Put a cold compress on the bite to relieve the pain. If hives, nausea, vomiting, trouble breathing, or fainting occur, call your doctor or 911. For spider bites, call your doctor or Poison Control Center and describe the spider.

Animal or Human- Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water. Call your doctor

Ticks-  Place tweezers as close as possible to the head of the tick and slowly pull the tick away from the point of attachment. Call your doctor if any parts of the tick remain under the skin or if the child develops symptoms such as a rash or fever.

Snake Bite- Keep the child at rest. Call the Poison Control Center. Do not apply ice.  Loosely splint the injured extremity. Take the child to an emergency department. Keep the extremity at rest, positioned at, or slightly below the level of the heart.

Head Injuries

Do not move A child who may have a serious head and /or neck or back injury. It can cause further harm.

Call 911 or an emergency number for a child with a head injury and ANY of the following
  • Any loss of consciousness or drowsiness
  • Persistent headache or vomiting
  • Clumsiness or inability to move any body part
  • Oozing of blood or watery fluid from ears or nose
  • Convulsions (Seizures)
  • Abnormal speech or behavior

For any questions about less serious injuries, call your doctor.


Teeth

Baby Teeth- If knocked out or broken, apply clean gauze to control the bleeding and call your dentist


Permanent Teeth- If knocked out, find the tooth and if sirty , rinse gently without scrubbing or touching the root. Do not use chemical cleansers. Use milk or cold running water. Place the tooth into clean water or milk and transport the tooth with the child when seeking emergency care. Call and directly go to your dentist or an emergency department. If the tooth is broken, save the pieces in milk and call your dentist immediately.




Eye Injuries


If anything is splashed in the eye, flush gently with water for atleast 15 minutes.  Call the Poison Center or your doctor for further advice.  Any injured or painful eye should be seen by a doctor.  Do NOT touch or rub an injured eye. Do NOT apply medication.  Do NOT remove objects stuck into the eye. Cover the painful or injured eye with a paper cup or eye shield until you can get medical help.

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