With the warmer weather here, your kids are probably spending more times outdoors having fun and playing sports–and that can only mean that they are more likely to get hurt. Getting cuts, bumps, and bruises are the norm during childhood and it is expected to happen to your kids no matter how great of a parent you may be.
But although it's inevitable that they are bound to get hurt, it is still your job to treat their minor injuries. If you're a new mom it is especially a challenge because you may not know where to start. That's why we've come up with a few ways to teach you how to care for your children's minor boo-boos…
Read more ¿Qué más?: Every 6 minutes, kids are hurt in stair-related injuries–what you can do to stop it
Since I can remember I've always been accident-prone and if it hadn't been for my mom's first aid, who knows how much worse my bumps, bruises, and scrapes could've been.
Whether they get them while playing in the playground or participating in a sport, children's ouchies can vary. But each have their at-home remedies that you can treat when faced with the dilemma. Of course, not all accidents can be fixed under your care and that's when your children's doctor should be informed.
Check out the most common ways kids (and even adults) get hurt and how to treat them below!
Black eye: This bruise occurs when the vessels underneath the skin break and causes a hemorrhage underneath your eye. To treat it, the best thing to do is treat the area whether with ice or a frozen bag of vegetables to reduce the swelling and temporarily numb the pain. Make sure not to press it against the already bruised skin. Instead gently hold it against it to avoid further bruising.
Bumps: It isn't uncommon for kids running around to accidentally fall and bump their heads. Sometimes even during horseplay, their heads may collide leaving them with a bump–or a chichón as my mother calls it. Naturally any head injury is frightening, but that varies on its severity. Much like the black eye, your child needs to apply ice to the injured area as long as they are fully conscious. If you sense that something is off about your child after he or she has received a bump, contact your doctor immediately.
Nose bleeds: These things can happen when you least expect them to occur. Sometimes it doesn't take actual activity to cause nosebleeds, but in case you are faced with one, here's how to remedy it. An oldie but a goodie, have your child tilt their head forward and pinch their nose for ten minutes to stop the bleeding.
Minor scrapes: Maybe your child went hard during soccer and now has scrapes all over their legs. They are generally minor and all you need to do is apply pressure to the area with a cloth or paper towel. Then wash the cut and cover it with a band aid to prevent any contamination.
Jammed fingers: It isn't uncommon for kids to occasionally have their fingers smushed in a door or window or get jammed fingers if a ball hits their hand straight on. The first thing you should do is hold an ice pack to the injury or run it underneath cold water to reduce swelling. If your child's nail is bleeding or fallen off, that's when a medical professional should get involved.'
Image via Thinkstock
