It’s important for parents to have the elementary skills and knowledge required to deal with common medical emergencies and injuries, and provide first aid to children Most parents will vouch that child health emergencies strike when least expected — when you are home alone or in the middle of the night, when doctors, neighbours or relatives can’t be summoned for help. Therefore it’s important for parents to possess elementary skills and knowledge required to deal with common medical emergencies and injuries, and provide immediate first aid to children. Here are 10 common medical emergencies that parents need to be prepared to cope with. Fever This is a common childhood affliction, which if ignored could have dangerous consequences such as seizures and brain damage. Here’s what you need to do to bring down the temperature before rushing to a doctor. • First, record the temperature with a thermometer • If it’s above 100° F, strip the child. Don’t cover her up with a blanket to sweat the fever. • Place the child under a fan and sponge her body with tepid tap water. As the water evaporates, the temperature will automatically drop. • You can simultaneously administer paracetamol in the dose of 10-15 mg/k body weight. The dose can be safely repeated every four hours. Nose bleeds Nose bleeds (aka epistaxis) occur unexpectedly because of nose-picking dried nasal secretions. They are usually not serious. Apply ice cubes wrapped in a plastic bag to the nose and if nasal drops are available at home, apply a drop to the affected nostril and make the child sit up, leaning forward. Nosebleeds usually stop within ten minutes. Earache It’s not uncommon for young children to wake up in the middle of the night, screaming with ear pain. Most often, it is due to blockage of the eustachian tube connecting nose to ear. Nasal drops which open up the blocked nose can be used, together with analgesic anaesthetic ear drops. Paracetamol 10-15mg/kg/dose and an antihistamine such as diphenhydramine or levocetirizine will also temporarily relieve the pain. Allergy Allergies may manifest due to worm infestation, insect bites, and/or contact with allergens in food. An itchy red skin rash can be treated with antihistamines such as diphenhydramine, chlorphenhydramine or levocetirizine and/or any soothing lotion. If there is swelling, especially around the face and lips, it is a medical emergency. After administering the antihistamine, you should take the child to the nearest hospital as soon as possible. Stomach ache This is one of the commonest and most perplexing complaints in infants and children. It can be an isolated complaint or accompanied by fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, rashes, bloating, urinary infection, or a groin swelling. Children are usually unable to localise the pain and indicate the umbilical area. It is often a difficult ailment for even paediatricians to evaluate. Visiting a doctor or hospital is the best option if the pain lasts for more than an hour. Sprains, strains and fractures It’s normal for children to fall while playing or…
