What are the injuries of a young child and what can I do to help him, find out in the article on "Child's fall, what trauma to fear".
Bruises and abrasions
Bruises and abrasions are formed on soft tissues, skin and muscles when falling or striking, for example, in the eye area, in the face, chest, ribs, back, genitals, limbs, etc. Such traumas can be recognized by the following signs:
- A subcutaneous hematoma with dark, uneven edges, the color of which changes for several days as a result of metabolism accumulated under the skin of the blood.
Some symptoms of sprains:
- Edema of the affected area.
- Pain.
- Possible presence of foreign bodies: chips, dirt, etc.
A child must be taken to an injury-point if:
- The pain is very strong, there are signs of inflammation or infection: heat, redness of the site of the injury.
- If the child is unable to move the damaged area.
Stretching is the rupture of ligaments, muscles, or tendons that occurs when the normal amplitude of joint movements is exceeded. Sometimes stretching is difficult to distinguish from a fracture. In these cases, X-rays are taken: a fracture reveals a bone trauma, while the joint appears enlarged when stretched. The diagnosis of "stretching" is put in medical institutions, a specialist is engaged in treatment. If a child has diabetes, hemophilia or he takes aspirin or another anticoagulant.
Extensions
Distinctions of 3 degrees are distinguished: Weak. When stretching the fibers of the ligaments, there is localized pain and mild inflammation. Moderate. The fibers of the ligaments are not only stretched, but also partially broken, so cause severe pain and inflammation. Serious. The bunch is torn completely. Usually, the pain is not as severe as with moderate stretching, but accompanied by acute inflammation.
Fractures
Fracture - a violation of the integrity of the bone as a result of impact, load, stress, superior to the natural elasticity of bones.
Fractures are:
- Simple, or closed.
- Open, or visible. The main goal of fracture treatment is to alleviate pain, prevent complications, eliminate bleeding, which may be internal (with closed fracture) or external (with an open fracture). To do this, take the following measures.
- Mitigation of pain.
First aid in stretching:
First, remove the pain with an analgesic drug (paracetamol, ibuprofen, etc.). Apply the ice pack to the damaged area for about 10 minutes. Try not to bend the damaged joint or limb. Deliver the child to the trauma center for examination, diagnosis and professional assistance. If the joint of the leg is stretched, make sure that the child does not bear the weight of the body until it is given medical care.
- Use of local anesthetics - for example an ice pack.
- Ensuring the immobility of the limb or affected area. Limb fixation by bandages and tires is not required.
To deliver the child with a fracture to the hospital, place a board or any hard, stiff material under the fracture site, on which the child can lean and find the position where the pain is least felt. If the fracture is open, it is important to stop the blood, putting pressure on the wound for 10 minutes. Cover the wound with a sterile gauze or bandage, fix it with adhesive plaster. A child with a fracture must necessarily be taken to a doctor who will diagnose and prescribe a treatment.
Dislocation
A dislocation is an injury in which both the joint and the bone are damaged, eventually the bone partially or completely exits the joint. Most often there are dislocations of the shoulder and elbow joints, the thumb or jaw.
Symptoms:
- Sharp pain.
- Deformation (especially in comparison with the unaffected pair body).
- Loss of mobility.
As with other injuries, pain should be alleviated and possible complications prevented.
- Apply cold to the site of the dislocation, if possible, try to completely fix it.
- Do not try to fix the dislocation yourself.
- Contact the injured item, the doctor will fix the dislocation and prescribe the treatment.
Head injuries
Contusions of the head sometimes lead to serious consequences. The skull is a strong organ that protects its contents; but, like all tissues of the body, the head tissues become inflamed with trauma. Depending on the degree of inflammation, cranial blood vessels can bleed, increasing intracranial pressure, causing compression and displacement of the brain. This phenomenon can be accompanied by various symptoms, the most notable of which is loss of consciousness. The most important symptoms of cranial trauma are:
- Loss of consciousness (even for a short time).
- Loss of orientation in time and space.
- Nausea, vomiting and dizziness.
- Periods of amnesia.
- Loss of strength in the arms and legs.
- Changes in behavior. One or more of the symptoms listed above, associated with a head injury, require the immediate delivery of the victim to an injury-point. If the child has a change in consciousness and needs to be taken to a hospital, the cervical spine should be fixed so that the head lies still and level. To do this, place the pillows on either side of the child's head, above the shoulders, or use other hard objects to keep the head from rolling to the side. If the child is to be carried in the car, it is recommended that the inclined position be not at an angle, but at an angle of 30 degrees. To avoid injury, it is very important to observe precautions: wear helmets and shields for the knees and elbows, especially when roller skating and skate. Children should ride where there are no cars. When jumping on a trampoline, it is important that the coating around it is not too hard. The perfect solution - such protective elements, as mats, mitigating any fall. It should be remembered that children should jump on the trampoline in turn, giving each other time to step aside. Jumping all together, children run the risk of colliding and falling. Now we know what are the falls of the child, what trauma to fear at the same time.