This guide provides tips on how to offer first aid in case of bleeding, fractures, snake bites and head injuries.
1. Bleeding
Use gauze to apply pressure for 1 to 2 minutes in order to stop the bleeding. Use more gauze and pressurize for another 5 minutes if bleeding can’t stop. You could also wrap with an elastic bandage firmly over the gauze. Call for emergency help if bleeding does not stop.
Sometimes children are faced with nose bleeding and during this time, have the kid sit upright but without tilting the head back. Loosen any tight clothing around the neck and then pinch the lower end of the nose close to the nostrils. During this time, the kid should lean forward as you apply pressure. Apply pressure for 5 - 10 minutes without any checks in between.
If nose bleeding is occurring because of trauma, swelling can be reduced by holding an ice park against the bridge of the nose once the bleeding slows down. The child should breathe with the mouth. Seek medical attention if the bleeding goes on after ten minutes or starts again.
In other cases, an object may be stuck and still there be bleeding. In this case, apply pressure (by building a padding around the object such that the padding is raised than the stuck object) on both sides of the object while the person lies down, and elevate the part involved. Keep the padding onto place using a bandage.
2. Fractures and sprains or dislocations
A sprain results from the tearing or pulling of ligaments, fibrous tissue or connecting bones at a joint. A broken bone is characterized by the child experiencing a bone snap, and unnatural movement of or difficulty of movement at the joint or body part. A strain is due to an overstretched muscle or tendon.
Strain results to pain and swelling, and at times, bruises around the affected area.
Use a towel or soft cloth to wrap painful, swollen, and deformed areas or where motion causes pain. You can hold the arm or leg into position using a splint made of cardboard, stack of newspapers, or any other firmer materials.
Do not try to straighten the leg or body part. Apply ice or cool compressor for 20 minutes or less and not more. Seek emergency care. You should also keep the child lying until help arrives if there is a broken bone.
Use a clean bandage to cover open skin on the area. Seek emergency care if the foot or hand below the injured area is discolored - blue or pale.
In most cases, rest, ice, compression, and elevation (known as RICE) is engaged for cases of sprains and strains.
3. Head injuries
If the injury is serious, do not move the child. Call emergency help for situations of unconsciousness, seizure or convulsions, clumsiness or inability to move any body part, blood oozing from ears and nose, and/or abnormality of speech or behavior.
Drowsiness, difficulty in awakening, and persistent headache or vomiting should stir your seeking attention from a pediatrician.
4. Eye injuries
Use water to flush out any object that has entered in the eye - flush gently for 15 minutes. A pediatrician might also assist or you may call Poison Help (1-800-222-1222). Get help from a doctor if the eye has been injured and do not touch, rub, apply medicine or even remove stuck objects. Cover a painful or injured eye with a paper cup or eye shield until the child receives help.
5. Teeth problems
In case of baby teeth, use a clean gauze to control bleeding from a broken or a knocked down teeth. Call for pediatric help.
For permanent teeth, do not touch or handle the root. Use cold water or milk to rinse a dirty tooth gently while avoiding scrubbing or touching the root, and without using cleansers. Place the tooth in cold water or milk and take it with you and the kid for medical help from an emergency department, pediatrician or family dentist. If the teeth is broken, put the pieces in milk.
You can use gauze or a cotton ball (tell the child to bite it down) to stop bleeding as you seek help.
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