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Common Childhood Injuries and How to Treat Them
As children grow and explore the world around them, it's normal for them to get bumps, bruises, cuts and scrapes along the way. While most childhood injuries are minor, it's still important for parents to know how to treat common issues that come up.
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Cuts and Scrapes
Cuts and scrapes are some of the most common injuries that children get. They often happen when kids fall while playing or scrape their knee or elbow on a rough surface.
- Clean the wound with mild soap and water to remove dirt and debris
- Apply an antibiotic ointment to prevent infection
- Cover with a sterile bandage or gauze
See a doctor if the cut is deep, won't stop bleeding, or shows signs of infection like redness, swelling or pus.
Bruises
Bruises occur when blood vessels under the skin rupture after a blow or impact. Bruises on children are common on the legs, arms and forehead.
- Apply ice to new bruises to reduce swelling
- Elevate the injured limb to help prevent further swelling
- Don't let kids return to play/activity until the bruise has faded
Seek medical care if the bruise is very large, painful, or causes discoloration that spreads down the limb.
Sprains
A sprain is an injury to a ligament that connects bones at a joint. Signs include pain, swelling, bruising and difficulty moving the joint.
- Rest the injured limb and elevate to reduce swelling
- Apply ice packs for 15 minutes several times per day
- Use a brace or compressive bandage for support
See a doctor if your child can't bear weight on the limb or if there is significant swelling, bruising or pain.
Fever and Pain Relief
| Medication | Dosage |
|---|---|
| Acetaminophen (Tylenol) | Consult doctor for proper dosage |
| Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) | 10 mg/kg every 6-8 hours as needed |
Use lukewarm baths, cool cloths and hydration to help lower a fever. Call your pediatrician if fever persists more than 3 days or exceeds 104°F.
Having the right first aid supplies can help you handle most minor childhood injuries at home. But seek medical attention if your child has significant pain, swelling or any worrisome symptoms after an injury.
Treating Cuts and Scrapes
Cuts and scrapes are common injuries that happen when kids' sensitive skin gets damaged by a fall, mishap, or rough surface. While most cuts are minor, it's important to properly clean and care for them to avoid complications.
Causes of Cuts and Scrapes
Common causes of cuts and scrapes in kids include:
- Falling on a rough surface like pavement or gravel
- Bumping into sharp furniture corners or edges
- Getting scratched by branches, bushes, or briars outdoors
- Touching sharp tools or objects
- Skidding across a rough surface during play
Treating Minor Cuts
For mild cuts that don't bleed much or seem deep, follow these first aid steps:
- Clean the area with mild soap and warm water. Rinse away any dirt or debris.
- Apply an antibiotic ointment like Neosporin to prevent infection.
- Cover with a sterile gauze pad or bandage.
- Change the bandage daily and apply more ointment until healed.
Signs of Infection
Look for these signs of infection:
- Increased pain, swelling, warmth at the cut site
- Redness spreading from the cut
- Drainage of cloudy fluid or pus
- Fever
See a doctor right away if you notice any of these worrisome symptoms, which may require antibiotic treatment.
When to See the Doctor
Take your child to the doctor if the cut:
- Is deep or gaping open
- Won't stop bleeding after 10 minutes of pressure
- May need stitches
- Has debris inside that won't come out with cleaning
For serious cuts, the doctor may use stitches, steri-strips, or skin glue to close the wound after cleaning it thoroughly. Follow all post-care instructions carefully.
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Preventing Scarring
To help prevent cuts and scrapes from scarring:
- Keep the cut moist with ointment during healing
- Avoid sun exposure until fully healed
- Massage vitamin E oil or silicone gel sheets over the area
While kids will often get cuts and scrapes, proper first aid and medical care when needed can help prevent complications and long-term scarring.
Treating Fever and Pain in Children
Fevers and pain are common childhood ailments. While frightening for parents, most fevers and minor pain can be safely treated at home. Knowing what medications to use and when to call the doctor can help allay worries.
Acetaminophen for Fevers
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is generally the recommended medication for reducing fever in children. It is safe for infants over 2 months old. Consult your pediatrician for the proper dose based on your child’s weight and age. It comes in liquid or chewable formats for younger kids.
Acetaminophen works by blocking pain and fever signals in the brain. It brings temperature down by 2-3 degrees typically. It can be given every 4-6 hours as needed.
Ibuprofen for Pain Relief
Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) is an anti-inflammatory that effectively reduces pain from headaches, ear infections, sore throats, sprains, and other aches. It also reduces fevers. The typical dose is 10 mg/kg every 6-8 hours as needed.
Ibuprofen should not be given to children under 6 months without first consulting your pediatrician. Use children’s liquid or chewable formulas to ensure proper dosing.
Home Comfort Measures
In addition to medication, use these measures to soothe fever and pain at home:
- Encourage cold beverages to prevent dehydration
- Dress in light clothing
- Use lukewarm baths and cool compresses on the forehead
- Provide extra comfort and distraction with books, toys, TV
Call the Pediatrician If:
- Fever exceeds 104°F rectally
- Fever lasts more than 3 days without improvement
- Child is under 3 months old with a fever over 100.4°F
- Signs of dehydration like excessive fussiness, no tears, dry mouth
- Severe pain not relieved by over-the-counter medications
While scary for parents, most childhood fevers and pain can be managed safely at home. But call your pediatrician if symptoms persist or worsen despite treatment. They can advise on next steps for care.
Must-Have First Aid Supplies for Your Home
Having a well-stocked first aid kit at home can help you quickly treat minor injuries and provide basic care until medical treatment is available. Here are some must-have supplies to include in your home first aid kit.
Bandages
- Adhesive bandages (various sizes)
- Gauze pads (2 inch and 4 inch)
- Rolled gauze bandages (2 inch and 4 inch widths)
- Self-adherent wrap
- Tape for securing bandages
Bandages are essential for protecting cuts, scrapes, and wounds from infection while also absorbing blood and drainage.
Antiseptic Wipes and Ointments
- Antibiotic ointment
- Antiseptic wipes
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Antibacterial soap
Use antiseptics to sanitize and prevent infection in wounds before bandaging. Ointments help prevent bacterial growth while wounds heal.
Medications
- Acetaminophen and ibuprofen for pain/fever
- Antihistamine for allergic reactions
- Hydrocortisone cream for skin irritations
- Antacid for indigestion
Keep a variety of over-the-counter medications on hand to treat common ailments.
Tools
- Tweezers for splinters or debris
- Scissors for cutting gauze/bandages
- Safety pins to secure bandages
- Digital thermometer
- Cold pack or ice bag
Useful tools help remove foreign objects, take vital signs, and provide cold therapy for sprains/bruises.
Having these basic first aid items at home can prepare you to handle minor cuts, wounds, sprains, allergic reactions, and other common issues. Replace expired items regularly.
Basic First Aid Kit Items
A well-stocked first aid kit is essential to have in your home, car, or workplace to deal with minor accidents and injuries. The following are some basic items that should be included in a first aid kit:
It is important to check the kit regularly and replace any used or out-of-date contents. Personalizing the first aid kit and adding your home address are also great ideas. Remember to keep the first aid kit locked and in a cool, dry place out of the reach of children.
Travel First Aid Kit
When traveling, it is important to have a first aid kit on hand to deal with minor accidents and injuries. Here are some items that should be included in a travel first aid kit:
- Basic first-aid items such as adhesive bandages, gauze, and antiseptic wipes.
- Medications you take on a regular basis at home, as well as over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin to relieve headaches and pain.
- Safety pins to fasten splints and bandages.
- Antibiotic ointment to prevent infection in cuts, scrapes, and burns.
- Hydrogen peroxide to clean and disinfect wounds.
- Disposable, instant-activating cold packs to cool injuries and burns, as well as for use in strains and sprains.
- A first aid manual or instruction booklet.
It is important to tailor the contents of your travel first aid kit to your individual itinerary, taking into consideration the type of travel you are undertaking, your destination, the duration, and any existing medical conditions you have. Additionally, it is recommended to use travel or sample sizes when possible to save space and to keep the first aid kit locked or out of reach of children.
Travel First Aid Kit TSA Approved
When traveling, it is important to have a first aid kit that is TSA approved to avoid any issues during security screening. Here are some options for TSA-approved travel first aid kits:
- KeepGoing Travel First Aid Kit for Kids – 130 Pc. Car, Purse, Diaper Bag, Backpack, & Suitcase, with Latex-Free Bandages 7 x 5 2 in. TSA-Approved.
- The Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight and Watertight .7 First Aid Kit is a compact, waterproof kit that is perfect for outdoor adventures and is TSA-approved.
- The First Aid Only All-Purpose First Aid Kit is a comprehensive kit that includes 299 pieces and is TSA-approved.
- The Swiss Safe 2-in-1 First Aid Kit is a compact kit that includes 120 medical-grade items and is TSA-approved.
- The Johnson & Johnson All-Purpose First Aid Kit is a basic kit that includes 140 pieces and is TSA-approved.
It is important to note that TSA allows larger amounts of medically necessary liquids, gels, and aerosols in reasonable quantities for your trip, but you must declare them to security. Additionally, it is recommended to tailor the contents of your travel first aid kit to your individual itinerary, taking into consideration the type of travel you are undertaking, your destination, the duration, and any existing medical conditions you have.
