Children are usually active, so accidents can sometimes happen. These are usually minor accidents such as a bloody nose, tooth through the lip, insect bite or bruise, which you can simply treat yourself. Crying children and blood, the situation seems serious and panic is lurking. But it is important to remain calm and calm the child. It also helps if you know what to do. Place plasters, bandages, etc. in a permanent place. Write down important telephone numbers and hang them clearly visible. This includes the number of your GP, GP post and dentist.
Little accidents
There are a number of minor accidents that are common in children and can be treated at home. These include a nosebleed, abrasion, finger stuck in the door, removal of a splinter, burn, bruise and a tooth through the lip.
Remove a splinter
You can remove a splinter with clean tweezers. Wash the area around the splinter with soap and water. Disinfect tweezers with alcohol and grasp the end of the splinter. Pull out the splinter. After you have removed the splinter, press a little around the wound so that blood comes out. The dirt now comes out with the blood. Disinfect the wound.
What can you do if the splinter doesn’t come out?
If the splinter does not come out, the area will become infected. The body removes the splinter itself. If an inflammation develops or if the splinter is under a nail, a visit to the doctor is necessary. A splinter that does not break out on its own should be removed.
Stop a nosebleed
A nosebleed can be caused by a cold, picking the nose, a blow to the nose, strong temperature changes or spontaneously. In case of a nosebleed, have the child sit with his head forward. Pinch the nostrils against the nasal septum with your thumb and index finger for about ten minutes. When the bleeding has stopped, clean the nose with a damp cloth. If the bleeding has not stopped after half an hour, consult a doctor.
The treatment of an insect bite
In the summer months the chance of an insect bite is very high. For bee and wasp stings, first remove the sting (do not squeeze the venom sacs) with tweezers. Then apply a cold, wet compress to the sting site to reduce the pain. Notify a doctor if the child has been stung in the mouth or throat or if there is hypersensitivity.
Abrasions and cuts
Children regularly fall and often sustain abrasions. Start by rinsing the wound so that no dirt or stones remain behind. Disinfect the wound edges with iodine and allow to air dry. This creates a good crust that allows the skin underneath to heal. Plasters can stick to the wound and it will bleed again when changed.
Cuts
Clean cuts under running water. Then close the wound with gauze to stop the bleeding. Cover small cuts with a plaster so that the wound does not reopen. Larger cuts must be glued or sutured by your GP.
Tetanus
Infection with the tetanus bacteria is possible in wounds sustained outdoors. This disease always has a fatal outcome without treatment. Children are vaccinated against tetanus at the ages of two, three, four and eleven months and later at four and nine years old. If the vaccination was more than one year ago, a new injection must be obtained in the event of an injury.
Finger in the door
A pinched finger can be treated with lukewarm tap water to reduce pain and swelling. If necessary, use a cold compress.
Burns in children
Burns are common in young children who are exploring the world. Burns can be classified into first, second and third degree burns.
- First-degree burns are the least serious. The skin is red and painful to the touch but there is no blistering.
- With second-degree burns, the skin is painful even without touching and blisters develop.
- In third-degree burns, the skin is white or black and no longer hurts because the nerves have been damaged.
First degree burns
Only a first-degree burn can be treated at home. Then do the following: cool the burn for about ten minutes under lukewarm, gently running water. Never use cold water to prevent hypothermia of the body part. Do not cover the wound or apply ointment. First-degree burns heal completely without the formation of scar tissue.
A bruise
With a bruise, the soft tissues between the skin and the bone are damaged. A bruise is characterized by pain, swelling and bruising. Cool the bruised body part for ten minutes with lukewarm water from the tap, or use a cold compress. Prevent damage to the skin by placing a cloth between the bruised body part and the compress. Rest the injured body part.
A tooth through the lip
A tooth can go through the lip during a collision, or after a fall. Place a cold, wet washcloth on the bleeding lip, or press the wound closed with your thumb and index finger for a few minutes. A large wound must be sutured by the doctor.
A tooth out of the mouth
The tooth can come out due to a fall or collision. In this case, call the dentist and ask if the victim can be treated as quickly as possible. Keep the tooth in some saliva, under the tongue or in some milk. Water can kill the living cells of the root membrane, which reduces the chance of healing. A tooth should not dry out because the chance of a successful outcome becomes very small. Never grab a tooth by the root as this reduces the chance of bonding.