Doctor Dad (The Injured Child)

Burns

 The most common burns with children are due to hot liquids and hot food.
 To treat a burn run cool water over the burned area for at least 15 minutes. Skin damage
can continue even after you remove the cause of the burn.
 If the burn blisters cover it with nonstick gauze.

How long does it take a burn to heal?

 A burn should heal in about 7 to 10 days

 Call a doctor if a burn looks infected. Look for redness around the burn that gets

worse or fluid oozing from the burn that smells bad.

 There are burns that will need immediate medical attention right away.

1. Any electrical burn

2. Burns on hands, feet, mouth, face, or genitals

3. Burns that ooze pus or have a bad smell

4. Redness or swelling that gets worse for 3 to 5 days after the initial burn

Sunburns

What to know about sunburns?

 Children’s skin is more at risk for sunburn

 Use sunscreen with SPF of at least 30, and apply every 2 hours

 Keep your child out of the sun between 10 am and 3pm this is when the sun is the most

intense.

 Use hats and umbrella and avoid too much sun exposure.
 To treat sunburn, give Tylenol to relieve the pain (use the appropriate dosage)

 Wet compresses or cool baths with 2 ounces of baking soda added to water can give relief

Drowning

 Children at ages 1 to 4 and 15 to 20 are the groups that are at highest risk. Children in

these age groups tend to have no fear. Toddlers are too young to understand how

dangerous water can be.

 Toddlers will drown at less than 5 minutes

 While pools are the most dangerous place for toddlers however children have drowned in

5-gallon buckets, toilets, and bathtubs.

Cuts, Scrapes, and Bleeding

 Treating minor cuts and scrapes with soap and water. Do not use iodine, Betadine, or

mercurochrome because they destroy skin and cause more harm than good.

 Apply antibiotic ointment and cover the cut or scrape with a nonstick bandage.

When do I need to get medical attention for my child’s cut or scrape?

 If a cut or scrap is pulsating (common in spurts) it is probably coming from a artery.

This type of wound needs medical attention right away call 911 immediately and

apply pressure.

 If your child’s wound is wide or gaping, it might need to be treated by a doctor with

stitches.

 Apply pressure to the groin and armpit as these areas are where arteries are and will

bleed more.

Head Injuries
  Most head injuries are caused by falls, the younger the child the more serious of an

injury will occur.

 Seek medical attention right away if your child is 1 year old, and not acting him or

herself, and unconsciousness after a fall

 Call a doctor if your child develops a hematoma or goose egg mark this could mean

they have a skull fracture, child develops bruising around the eyes and ears 24 hours

after the fall.

Poison

 The most common poison children get into are with vitamins, cosmetics (such as lipsticks

and perfume), and cleaning products.

 Look for clues if your child has gotten into something especially if you find a open or

empty container or medicine bottle, your child acts strangely, has a stain around their

mouth or on clothes, drools or has burns on lips or inside the mouth, and child has a

stomach ache, but there isn’t a fever.

What should I do if I think my child is poisoned?

 Ensure you have taken away the item and check to see if their airway is open and call

the poison control center (1-800-222-1222). Have the number easily accessible.

 Follow poison control directions and if they state to go to the emergency room take

the item your child got into with you.

Lead Poisoning

Lead poisoning can come from dust, chips, around windows and doors as well as paint on toys

from foreign countries.