Injuries can be one of the scariest parts of parenting. It is easy to panic and take your child to the emergency room when all that’s needed is an ice pack and some rest. It is better to be safe than sorry.
Many parents simply are not trained to recognize the different types of injuries and their severity. In order to help you assess – and cope – with injuries, here is a helpful guide to help you determine the extent of your child’s injury.
Broken Bones
Broken bones will always require medical attention. There are a few key signs to look for when trying to tell if a bone is broken. This includes:
- Hearing a bone snap
- Difficulty moving the injured part
- Moving in an unnatural way, and
- Being very painful to the touch.
If you suspect a bone is broken, do not move your child if the injury involves their back or neck as this can cause serious nerve damage. Call 911 and keep your child still. If you must move your child due to imminent danger, immobilize the head and neck first and keep the back straight while moving th
em.
If your child must be moved and the injury is to a limb, apply splints to prevent further injury. Splints can be made from any stiff material which will extend beyond the joints above and below the injured area in order to prevent movement. They can then be padded with anything you have at hand including cushions, clothing and towels.
Remember to always leave the broken limb in the position in which you found it. You can apply cold packs or ice wrapped in cloth to reduce swelling and pain while you await medical assistance. Keep your child lying down until medical help arrives and raise their legs if they begin to feel lightheaded.
If the bone has broken through the skin call 911 immediately and apply pressure to the area with a gauze pad or clean fabric to minimize bleeding. Do not wash the wound or attempt to push the bone back in as this can cause further damage.
Strains and Sprains 
As with s
uspected breaks, any injury to the back or neck should be treated with care even if there is no pain. Keep your child immobilized until help arrives and do not move them unless absolutely necessary. In many cases, it is difficult to tell the difference between a sprain, a strain, and a break. When in doubt, take your child for X-rays.
Strains (torn or overstretched muscles or tendons) and sprains (overstretched or torn ligaments) are treated in largely the same way despite their differences. In both cases one should remember the acronym “RICE” which stands for:
- Rest: Rest the injured area for at least 24 hours depending on the severity of the injury. This may take several days with more severe injuries but even mild ones should be treated to a day’s rest in order to prevent worsening it.
- Ice: Cold packs or bags of ice can be applied for 10-15 minutes every few hours for 48 hours following the injury. This will help to prevent swelling as the area heals and will reduce pain.
- Compression: Wear an elastic compression bandage for up to 48 hours to reduce and prevent swelling. This will also serve as a helpful reminder to avoid using the injured limb while it recuperates. Before putting the bandage checking with an expert physiotherapist might be a better idea.
- Elevation: As much as possible, keep the injured limb above heart level in order to minimize swelling and associated pain.
Over-the-counter pain medication can be used to reduce pain in the first couple of days and heat should not be applied within the first 24 hours as it can increase swelling and pain.
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Researcher of world economy but not always into the market development, also likes to have some fun with paint and brushes, camera clicks and some flying kicks. I like to be fit and sporty too, but mostly, I love to pen about everything new I come across. – Sandra O’toole
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