Bites and Stings to children: Response & Precaution

Animals like cats and dogs: A bite or scratch which has only broken the skin can be treated at home. Wash the wound with running water, dry it and cover it with a dry adhesive dressing. Check the wound the next day for any redness or inflammation around it, which would suggest infection. In such… [ Continue Reading ]

Bleeding in children: Response & Precaution

Although you may get very scared and your child petrified by the sight of blood, it is actually quite useful if is oozing or dripping out of a wound. It washes away a lot of dirt and germs that would be difficult to clean otherwise. Heavy bleeding: Blood flowing incessantly from a wound takes a… [ Continue Reading ]

Sprains and Strains in children: Response & Precaution

A sprain is caused by the tearing of a ligament that supports a joint. The ankle, knee, wrist and shoulder joints are the ones most often affected. The symptoms are pain and swelling. A strain is caused by the over stretching or tearing of muscle fibres. It is usually less serious than a sprain. Do… [ Continue Reading ]

Electric Shock to children: Response & Precaution

A mild electric shock goves only a brief pins-and-needles sensation. A severe one can knock your child down, render him unconscious and stop both breathing and heartbeat and even burn him. An electrical burn may look quite harmless — a tiny bluish mark. But, it will have caused wide damage to the tissues underneath. Electric… [ Continue Reading ]

Cuts and Grazes on children: Response & Precaution

Minor cuts need little treatment. Bleeding carries germs out of the wound and seals it as it clots. Put the injured part under cold running water. Do not use antiseptic. If it is strong enough to kill germs, it will damage cut tissue too. Don’t use ointment. It will delay formation of a protective scab…. [ Continue Reading ]

Fractures in children: Response & Precaution

Babies usually do not break bones since their bones are not hard enough. They bend rather than break. Occasionally, they may bend and crack like a green twig rather than rather than snapping like a dry one. This is what is called a greenstick fracture. There are no sharp ends of bone inside the limb… [ Continue Reading ]

Minor Accidents and Wounds in children: Response & Precaution

Most minor mishaps do not require any medical attention at all. The human body has its own way of dealing with them. In fact, often, administration of first aid by an over-enthusiastic elder can hamper the natural process of healing. For example, antiseptic creams often delay wound-healing while doing little to prevent unlikely infection. Sticking… [ Continue Reading ]

Bruises on children: Response & Precaution

A bruise appears when blood vessels under the skin are crushed or broken and the blood escapes into the tissue. The area looks red at first and then turns bluish black. As the escaped blood is broken down and reabsorbed, the area looks greenish-yellow. Trivial bruises: These are a normal part of life and need… [ Continue Reading ]