Pediatric Emergency: Injuries - First Aid

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Pediatric Emergency: Injuries - First Aid
Pediatric Emergency: Injuries - First Aid

Video: Pediatric Emergency: Injuries - First Aid

Video: Pediatric Emergency: Injuries - First Aid
Video: First Aid for 6 Common Injuries in Kids 2024, March
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Emergency in children: injuries and wounds

Minor injuries are commonplace in children. Fortunately, most of these injuries are harmless and heal without problems. However, certain injuries can be worse in children than in adults. For example, bleeding must be treated correctly immediately.

A wound is caused by external influences such as mechanical force, heat, cold or chemical substances. In any case, the skin is damaged and the natural protective barrier is destroyed. The danger: germs can penetrate the wound or the adjacent tissue and trigger infections.

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  • How can I provide first aid?
  • Worth knowing about wounds

How can I provide first aid?

The right care depends primarily on what type of wound it is. Superficial injuries are usually harmless and can be taken care of at home. They heal on their own in a relatively short time. Large and deep injuries, on the other hand, require medical attention.

In any case, wounds must be kept clean to avoid possible infections.

Before treating a wound, carefully clean your hands. If possible, wear medical gloves when treating wounds. On the one hand you protect yourself from infections through blood contact, on the other hand you protect the child from germs that are on your hands.

First aid measures for superficial abrasions:

  • Put on gloves.
  • Avoid touching the wound directly if possible.
  • Do not wipe off the blood, minor bleeding will clean the wound.
  • Gently rinse the wound with clean water or wound irrigation solution.
  • Remove larger dirt particles, e.g. earth, stones, splinters, with disinfected or sterile tweezers.
  • Allow the wound to air dry.
  • Then apply a sterile wound dressing and, if necessary, apply a thin layer of antiseptic ointment or gel.
  • Check tetanus protection (e.g. in the child's vaccination certificate) and have it refreshed if necessary!
  • Check the wound regularly for signs of infection (redness, swelling, pain, fever).

First aid measures for bleeding cuts or lacerations:

  • Let the wound bleed briefly. This flushes small pieces of dirt out of the wound.
  • Gently rinse the wound with clean water or wound irrigation solution.
  • If the bleeding does not stop by itself: Press a sterile compress or a clean cloth on it. More on: Emergency: Bleeding
  • Elevate the affected part of the body.
  • Once the bleeding has stopped, apply a thin layer of antiseptic ointment or wound gel to the wound to keep it moist and clean.
  • Close the wound with a plaster or sterile dressing, e.g. from your medicine cabinet.
  • Check the wound regularly for signs of infection (redness, swelling, pain, fever).
  • If the bleeding cannot be stopped, a pressure bandage (see below) must be applied. Call the emergency number 144.
  • Wounds on the face or head must always be examined by a doctor!

The next first aid measures if the bleeding cannot be stopped:

  • If you have not already done so: Dial the emergency number 144.
  • Apply a pressure bandage:

    • Wrap an elastic bandage over the bleeding once. Take several gauze bandages (or a cloth folded in several ways) and place them on the injured area as a pressure body. Then wrap the rest of the gauze bandage tightly around it.
    • If it bleeds through the pressure bandage, do not open the first pressure bandage, but place a second over it or press it down with firm finger pressure.
  • Blood loss can quickly lead to shock in children.
  • Keep your child warm, calm down and never leave them alone!

If you are unconscious or suddenly lose consciousness:

Shout out loud for help and make those around you aware of the emergency.

  • Check awareness: speak and shake gently
  • Check breathing: overstretch head, “hear, see, feel” for max. ten seconds

    • Breathing is normal: Bring the child into a stable side position. Check your breathing again and again until the emergency services arrive! Cover the child to avoid hypothermia.
    • Breathing abnormally: start resuscitation immediately; Immediately ventilate 5x and 30x chest compressions for one minute and then dial emergency number 144. Repeat the resuscitation until the rescue workers are on site or the child shows signs of life. Make sure you get help and take turns with another helper!

More on the topic: 1x1 first aid for children

Worth knowing about wounds

Not every minor injury needs to be treated by a doctor or in a hospital. However, the following injuries require medical attention:

  • All wounds, if there is no or an unsafe tetanus vaccination protection,
  • Wounds from which dirt cannot be removed or where bleeding cannot be stopped,
  • large wound area (s) or a wound depth of 5 mm or more,
  • Bite wounds (because of the high risk of infection),
  • Wounds near the joint (risk of infection of a joint),
  • Wounds on the hand and back of the foot (due to the risk of tendon injuries),
  • Eye injuries,
  • Stab wounds,
  • Injuries to the genitals,
  • Wounds showing signs of infection.

In these cases, the wound should be examined by a doctor within six hours. During this period, the germ proliferation is still relatively local, after which the germs penetrate into the surrounding tissue and enlarge the wound area. An injury that is not older than six hours can be optimally cared for by cleaning, disinfecting, cutting out the wound edges and suturing. If the injury is only treated after six hours, suturing is no longer possible, which leads to longer wound healing.

When using a disinfectant, keep the following in mind:

  • The disinfectant must be suitable for wound disinfection. There are also disinfectants that don't burn.
  • The disinfectant must not have expired.
  • Pay attention to any allergies (e.g. iodine allergy).

Note It is best to use clean water for cleaning, as this is the most readily available.

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