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Tips for Treating SUMMER INJURIES
By Justin Jenei

Summer is finally here and kids will be riding their bikes up and down the street, and throwing baseballs around in the yard. But there’s a flipside: cuts, scrapes, bee stings and other minor injuries are a part of summer too. They happen to just about everybody. Often these types of injuries occur when a child is out playing and parents can’t always be there when they do. Does your child know how to take care of him or herself? Of course, the best idea is for a child to seek out an adult for help but unfortunately one may not always be around. So here are a few tips for both kids and their parents for effectively treating these common problems.   

The most common injuries are small scrapes and cuts. A nurse in my doctor’s office says that first and foremost “the wound should be cleansed thoroughly with soap and water.” This prevents infection that can become very serious later on. All particles must be removed. The wound shouldn’t be scrubbed; this can irritate the skin around it as well as being extremely painful. An antiseptic like Neosporin should be applied to a bandage and placed carefully over the wound. Make sure your child knows to wash his or her hands before and after treating their cut. It is important not to blow on the wound. This encourages germs to grow on the area. Check the cut once a day and try to keep it as dry as possible.

A bee sting can ruin a child’s day. Since they are a relatively common problem it is essential that a child know how to treat them in case no adult is around. The first step is to carefully remove the stinger. This should be done very carefully and without pulling it. The best way is to use your fingernail or a card and move it back and forth over the stinger until it is loosened and comes out. Next wash the area and put ice over it to reduce swelling. Obviously, if an adult is available, the smartest thing is to go to them. The next step is to call a doctor. He or she will determine whether or not the child is allergic. If there is an allergy to bee stings the doctor will give a shot that helps reduce the reactions.

Sometimes these types of injuries can be more serious and require medical attention. Signs of a more serious injury are profuse bleeding lasting more than ten minutes, puncture wounds (especially ones caused by metal objects), bites, wounds showing redness, swelling or other signs of infection or wounds located on the face near the eyes. If your child has any of these make sure they see a doctor as soon as possible to prevent further complications.

Injuries like these are a natural part of growing up. Sooner or later they will happen to everybody no matter how careful they are. The important thing is to know how they can be kept from getting worse.   

Justin Jenei is a freelance writer.