How To Treat Your Child's Wounds & Injuries

Types of Injury & Home Care

#1 Burn and Scalds

• Steaming food or liquid
• Touching a hot plate
• Chemical spills
• Overexposure to the Sun

1. Cool the burn immediately for 10 minutes
2. Avoid excessive cooling
3. Protect the burnt area with light bandaging (if necessary)
4. Do not break the blisters to prevent inflammation
5. Do not apply ointments or creams

#2 Electrical accident

• Low voltage situation that usually occurs at home

1. Disconnect the electrical power instantly
2. Do not touch the child who is still holding to the short circuit
3. Pull the child away using objects that do not conduct electricity
4. Ensure the child is still breathing and is able to wake up
5. Cool any burns
6. Take the child to the hospital or call 999 immediately

#3 Bruises

• Falling
• Blunt trauma

1. Apply pressure with something cold for 15 minutes (eg; ice pack wrapped in a towel)
2. Do not place the cold directly on their skin
3. If the bruise is near the eye area, go see a doctor quickly
4. Minor bruises normally will heal themselves

#4 Cuts & Scrapes

• Falling that may cause scratches or flesh injuries
• Sharp ends from a table or cabinets that may cause cuts

1. Rinse the small cuts with water
2. Apply pressure on the injured area with a clean cloth
3. Apply antibiotic if the cut or scrape is not deep
4. Cover the wound with a clean bandage
5. Always keep the area clean and dry

#5 Splinters

• Walking outside without shoes
• Wooden railings that are not smooth
• Outdoor furniture

1. Use tweezers to remove the small splinters
2. After removal, wash area until it is clean
3. Unremoved splinters may need paediatricians attention

#6 Puncture wounds

• A nail, knife, or sharp sticks may puncture the skin

1. Do not remove large objects from the wound
2. Always seek a paediatrician for all puncture wounds
3. A tetanus booster might be needed for the child

#7 Nosebleeds

• Injury to the face area
• Nose blowing or picking
• Individual tendency

1. Keep the child in a sitting position with their head tilted outwards
2. Blow their noses to clear off any clotted blood
3. Apply firm pressure to both nostrils and squeeze them for 5 minutes
4. Any continuous excessive bleeding will need medical attention

#8 Unconscious/Fainting

• Dehydration
• Not eating properly
• Sickness
• Playing in circular motions

1. Limit movement to head and neck when opening airways
2. Tap the child gently to check for signs of response
3. Position their face up and open the airway
4. If the child is breathing, roll him or her to their side

1. Call 999 immediately
2. Limit movement to head and neck when opening airways
3. Tap the baby’s feet gently for signs of response
4. Ensure the baby is facing upwards and open the airways
5. Ensure the airway is open if the baby is breathing

#9 Choking

• Food
• Swallowing small objects

1. Place the child on their stomach on your lap with their head situated lower than their body
2. Pat firmly between their shoulder blades for 5 times
3. If it does not work, stand behind the child while making him or her stand
4. Make a fist and wrap both fist around the child on their abdomen
5. Thrust back and upward with constant power
6. Repeat the step 5 times if necessary

1. Hold the infant’s face down while supporting their jaw and head with your hands
2. Hit gently between the shoulder blades for 5 times while holding on to the neck
3. If nothing happens, place the baby on their back in your lap
4. Ensure their feet are across your chest
5. Using your two fingers, push down on their breastbone
6. Repeat the step 5 times if necessary

#10 Concussions

• Blow to the head

1. If the child vomits or complains about any pain, seek medical help immediately
2. Do not leave the child alone
3. Wake them up about 1-2 times during the first night after the injury
4. Check for fluency in their speech
5. If the child can talk and answer questions normally, then they are fine

#11 Fractured Limb

• Impact
• Twisting of a limb
• Falling from a high place

1. Stop the bleeding by applying pressure on the wounded area
2. Do not try to correct the twisted parts
3. Hold their body for support and try to move the injured limb into a painless position
4. Ensure the child feels warm and stays still
5. Take the child to a doctor

#12 Dislocated Joints

• Tripping
• Hitting hard objects

1. Support the child’s body properly and do not move the joints from their current position
2. Place something cold around the injured area (not directly on the skin)
3. Take the child to see a doctor

#13 Heatstroke

• Overexposure to sunlight especially on the head and neck

1. Take the child away from direct sunlight
2. Cool them off with cold water
3. Take off any excessive layer of clothes
4. If symptoms persist, seek medical help

#14 Fever

• Infection
• Minor illnesses like the cold
• Overactivity
• Too hot environment

1. Take the child’s temperature
2. If it’s 38°C or above, then they might be having a fever
3. Dress them in light clothes to make them feel comfortable
4. Give them cool liquids to drink
5. Bring the child to see a paediatrician if necessary

#15 Insect bites

• Unclean environment
• Not protected with insect repellents

1. Place a cold compressor or cool pack to relieve the pain and itchiness
2. Put some moisturizer or ointment on the bitten area
3. If the skin starts to show swelling, redness and causing your child breathing problems, quickly see a doctor

#16 Poisoning and Allergic Reactions

• Swallowed chemicals
• Household cleaning products
• Inhaled toxic gases
• Consumed food or water that causes allergies
• Expired medical substances

1. Move the child and yourself away from the harmful chemicals
2. Try to identify the amount of substance that has been consumed by the child
3. Rinse it away if it is still in their mouth
4. If the child is still conscious, place them in a sitting position
5. Stay close to monitor their breathing