Thursday, June 7, 2012

Let Children be Children! – Home Remedies for Minor Injuries

Children at play cannot be stopped. It is what defines their childhood. Occasionally, they get infected and more than often they get injured while playing. Bruises, sprains, swellings etc. - There are numerous wounds children can suffer. Only one out of four children hurt themselves very seriously, risking their lives. But the rest injure in ways which can be dealt with at home.

Extremely serious wounds like fractures and head bangs need medical assistance. But minor injuries like bruises and sprains can be taken care of by mothers. Here is a list of things a mother can do, to take care of her children.

1. Bruises

• For active children, bruises must be frequent and they are sometimes hurtful and sometimes a stinging burn. Bruises can leave ugly marks on the skin if care isn't taken. So, one can apply some ice or an ice bag after cleansing the wound. This should be done for 20-30 minutes. Rubbing the ice-pack can reduce discoloration and swelling too.

• If the bruise is covering a large part of the leg or foot, keep the leg elevated for the first day after the injury.

• After two days, the bruised area must be given some heat; through a hot water bag or warm washcloth. The heat increases the flow of blood in that arena allowing the skin to reabsorb blood faster and heal quickly.

• After two days if the wound looks red, sore, or any signs of pus are seen, then the child must be taken to the doctor, to avoid pus and infection. And if the damage is on a large area, then too one must take her child to the doctor.

2. Sprains
In colder climates, when a person gets hurt, it tends to hurts even more. While playing a lot of children sprain themselves or get a catch, if inflexible. Usually a parent would run to a nearby Physiotherapist Clinic to improve the constrained movements and lessen the pain. A Physiotherapist knows the right way to handle an injury.

Children need not go to a Vancouver based Physiotherapist if his or her pain isn't much. A mother can use a few home remedies if one fails to reach a Physiotherapist. The best way to cure a sprain is using the R.I.C.E approach (rest, ice, compression and elevation).

• Rest- Make sure your child does not move too much and refrain from any actions that cause discomfort. However, the child must not stay still. Some activity is good.

• Ice- Use the ice pack for 15-20 minutes every two hours. This should be done for at least two to three days. The pack must be used in circular rotations to ease the pain and decrease swelling, injured muscles and joints. If the area turns white. Remove the ice pack as it indicates cold injury.

• Compression- A sprain causes swelling, and by compressing it the swelling will reduce. Tie the injured body part firmly but not too tight.

• Elevation- Elevate the affected body part above the heart level. This is another way to reduce swelling.
Bruises and sprains are negligible injuries. But, if an injury doesn't heal in two or three days must be shown to a doctor.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/let-children-be-children-home-remedies-for-minor-injuries-5954092.html

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