3 Common Kid Injuries and How To Help Them

Injuries in childhood are a rite of passage and an unavoidable part of parenting. Knowing how to help your child when an accident happens, and when to seek professional help, isn't always easy. Learn the basics for how to prevent and treat these three common childhood injuries and you'll be prepared to get your child the right care for their needs.

Broken bones are less frequent than you might expect, given how often children tumble, crash, and fall down during play, but many children will break at least one bone in their lives. Most children break an arm or wrist trying to catch themselves during a fall, but broken legs, collarbones, fingers, and toes are all also potential injuries for kids. Most broken bones will be obvious; your child will be in great pain and the broken bone will cause the arm or leg to have an odd angle. You may even hear a crack during the accident. Other breaks, especially in non-verbal babies or toddlers, may be hard to spot. Greenstick fractures or bones that are not displaced during the injury may appear fine, and your child may not seem to be in serious pain. If you notice your child seems to be favoring one side, cries when a certain area is touched or refuses to put weight on one arm or leg, take them in for an X-ray to rule out a break.

If you suspect your child has a broken bone, call your doctor before bringing them in. You will likely be asked to go directly to an ER or urgent care where an X-ray is available. If the bone is broken, your child will be given a cast or splint to hold the bone still while it heals. The good news is children grow so fast this process may only take 4-6 weeks and modern materials make casts and splints easier than ever for your child to get around with. You can help make the time go faster by finding activities that won’t tempt your child to put pressure on the break: skip the playground and take a stroller trip through the art museum instead. If your child seems uncomfortable or in pain, talk with your doctor about which over the counter pain relief will work best and for tips to prop up the hurt area to keep your child comfortable and promote healing.

Accidental burns from hot water are one of the most common childhood injuries. Most children will endure a mild burn from a spilled coffee cup or from faucet water once or twice in their lives, and mild injuries can be treated at home with over the counter burn cream or aloe vera gel. Burns can become serious quickly, however, especially for the sensitive skin of babies and young children whose curiosity may put them at higher risk for dangerous accidents.

Prevention is the best approach for burns, and childproofing your house is the most important step. Make sure chemicals and cleaning materials are locked out of reach, that electrical cords and outlets are protected, and that children can’t access hot items like the stove, fireplace, or coffee pot on their own. It’s also important to be aware of moveable items such as curling irons or hot pans, and know where children are at all times during use.

If your child does get burned, remember that the internal layers of skin will continue to be damaged by heat even after the hot item is longer touching the skin. Put a burned area directly under cool (not cold) water to cool the area and prevent further damage. Never put food items such as butter or mustard on a burn, as it can increase your child’s pain and cause a serious infection. If the burn is larger than two inches wide or the skin is broken, blistered, or seems infected, take your child to urgent care as soon as possible. If the burn covers more than 10% of their body, is on their genitals, face or hands, get medical help immediately.

Over 4 million people are bitten by dogs annually, and more than half of those injured are children. Teach your children basic dog safety, like staying calm and moving slowly around animals, and avoiding a dog’s mouth and food bowl. Always ask the owner for permission to pet an unfamiliar dog and say hello by letting the dog smell your hand before petting.

Even with the best intentions, your child may still be bitten by a dog. If this happens, start by attempting first aid at home. Like any cut, use a clean cloth or sterile gauze to apply pressure and stop the bleeding. Clean the cut gently with soap and water and be sure to apply antibacterial ointment to remove any bacteria from the dog’s mouth.

One out of five dog bites requires medical attention. If you don’t know the owner of the dog, and can’t verify the status of the animal’s shots, head to the doctor to get your child immunized against rabies as soon as possible, even if the cut doesn’t seem serious. If you can’t stop the bleeding after ten minutes, if the cut looks deep, or if your child’s injury is on their face, go to the doctor.

Hopefully, your child won’t suffer any lasting harm, but if the bite is serious, consider looking into your legal rights. Some states have strict biting laws that require an animal to be put down if it has bitten a child in order to protect others, and the owner may be responsible for any medical bills or expenses you incur from your child’s wound. Not all states make this process easy. In Georgia, for example, the laws about dog bites favor the owners and it can be difficult to get justice for a dog bite victim without an attorney. In order to recover financial compensation for the injury, a family must prove the owner was knowingly careless about letting a dangerous dog roam free. If you suspect you may need to press legal charges against a negligent dog owner who allowed your child to be hurt, contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.

Of course, you want to protect your children from harm, but even the best parents find themselves facing a hurt child from time to time. Understanding how to treat these common childhood injuries can help you feel calm if a crisis arises. Remember that your child's pediatrician is on your team; if there is any doubt about whether you can handle the injury at home, don't hesitate to call for guidance.