F I R S T A I D --FOR CHILDREN

Introduction:

Though this is a first aid home treatment for your kids,some of them are suitable to adults also.PLEASE note that this is not a treatment guide for your child's medical problems,BUT ONLY a first aid management at critical times.All drugs named here should be used only for ONE DOSE ONLY& visit doctor at earliest oppertunity.
If a child gets fever at 10 pm one can not wait till morning.If fever is not controlled he may throw a fit.Or suppose,you are urgently moving with your family from one place to another 300 km,your family member gets a vomiting,diarrhoea,acidity,or abdominal pain discomfort,anxiety,what will you do?Or while at home your child swallows few tablets of adults(like anti-diabetic /blood pressure reducing.)what will you do?So it becomes necessary for all mothers to know certain first aid treatment.It is with this hope the following is written& to be practiced only at a critical situation& non availability of doctor for quick help.

FIRST AID TREATMENT AT HOME:
All drugs,can be given as per this schedule.Dose of any adult tablet for children can be given thus.--New born-1/10,6 months-1/6.,1-3 yrs--1/4.,5 yrs-1/2,.10 yrs-1.,
Syrup;New born-5-9 drops.,6 months-1/2tsp.,1-3 yrs--3/4 tsp.,5 yrs--1-2 tsp.
PLEASE remember the above is for single dose only.consult doctor for subsequent dose.

1)FEVER:101.F is significant.Tepid?ice sponging is enough.In very high fever,ice at axilla,groin soles will be required.Doctor will find cause &treat latter.you may use tab/syrup paracetamol
6 months-1/6tab/1/2 tsp.5yrs-1/2 tab..1 tsp.
2)VOMITING:2-3 vomitings significant Ideal treatment-I V Fluids at hospital.or else, tab domperidol,mixed in honey.No feeds for 8 hrs.If vomiting occurs 2 hrs after tab,,go to hospital as emergency.
3)Jaundice:Dangerous during first 3 days of neonatal life.Admit as emergencyfor other jaundice also go to doctor.Dont trust KEELANELLI leaf extract,or any other siddha ayurveda or other herbal treatments.Jaundice after 15 days can be due to surgical congenital cause,if with clay white stools.Jaundice in an unimmunised child at any age could be due to virus infection.Blood test necessary.
4)Diarrhoea:One loose large watery motion needs admission in hospital.3 such motions is often dangerous,unless iv fluid treatment given.Very risky upto age 2 yrsMaximum death rate in this age group.So any home treatment is not advisible.
May try tab lopramideafter 6 months of age.Diarrhoea should stop within 2 hrs.STOP THE FOLLOWING:a)any oral feed b)milk--mothers,/cow's.c)electrolyte powder.d)sweets. e)tender coconut water.If no associated vomiting may try rice water after 2 hrs of lopramide,in small frequent feeds(100 ml/kg /day)
5)Fits:Signifies ,irritation to brain.Needs immediate admission as emergency.Do not put the child in sitting position..put the child lying,face turned to one side&keep a spoon betweenupper 7lower molar teeth,to avoid tongue bite.SUCK OUT MOUTH SECRETIONS.If conscious you can give one tab of Diazapam,orGardinal,especially if he is already a known case of fits.Dont give keys or iron in the hands because it is unscientific.
6)Febrile fits:Fits occuring only during fever episodes in certain children,aged 6months to 6 yrs.Once fever is controlled,fits usually subsides &never reccurs if continuous tepid/ice sponging alone is sufficiently givenIt is necessary that a doctor should rule out it is not brain infection by clinical/ csf exam..A (30 mg-for 10 kgdose of phenobarb(gardinal)(30 mg for 10 kg ,&60 mg for 20 kg child) may be given.
7)Rigor(chills)Abnormal body temperature meckanism as if thermostate function is out of order,
in the brain..Put on a warmer,or heater fan.cover body with blankets.Apply hot water bottle 1--2 is the best.In 10 mts there will be total relief.If not controlled adeqately,give Tab Avil+ dexamethasone.Take him to hospital if no relief within 1 hour.
8)'stomach' pain: If there is no vomiting or diarrhoea,give antacid tabs-3Wait for 15 mts.If no relief ,tab Raftase/CYCLOPAM,WHICH IS GOOD FOR ALL PAINS,INCLUDING MENSTRUAL
DISORDER DIS MENNORRHOEA,OVULATIONPAIN(pain 15 days after menses) kidney stones(Beralgan-drops-tabs)
9)URETHRITIS (Burning micturition).child cries while passing urine,&puts hands over the genitaia & scratches.children above 5 can clearly communicate.give frequent water&tab pyridium,which imparts a brownish red colour to urine.pain disappears in 30 mts like butter on a frying pan.
10)Ear pain:Otogesic/Otec ac/candidwith local anaesthetic drops..Can take one Paracetamol+brufen.
11)foriegn body Eye: Sudden & continuous irritation of Eye.Go to eye specialist immediately.dont try your own treatment.If at night go to government eye hospital Egmore chennai for 24 hr service.
12)Foriegn body-Nose/Ears.:Go to doctor or childrens hospital egmore chennai(24 hrs)
13)accidental poisoning:Children taking blood pressure/diabetes drugs of elders,or any other poisonous substances.If child is CONSCIOUS only,induce vomiting by giving 100- 200 ml of saturated solution of common salt(put salt more so that there is a deposit at the bottom of the vessel.specific antidote can be given at hos pitalIf child is unconscious take him to hospital in LYING POSITION.
14)CHEST PAIN :(Adults above 40 yrs)Left or rt.sidedor central,with or without sweating or reflected to left shoulder or left jaw;Gelusil 3 tabs +1 tab aspirin150 mg,swallowed.1 tab sorbitrate 5 mg kept under tongue.
15)Burns/scalds:Put ice pack all over affected part.sedate ,if pain is severe. tab diazapam1-2 as per age.(5 mg .tab.)
16)SEVERE ITCHING;IN ANY PART OF THE BODY,OR GENERALISED ALL OVER WITH RASHES,?PATCHY THICKENED SKIN(URTICARIA).THE MORE ONE SCRATCHES THE MORE WILL BE ITCHING SENSE: Take tab AVIL+dexamethasone.Flucort ointment for external use if the affected part is very small.If genaralised go to hospital streight.
17)Breath holding spell :Some young children when they cry end up in compleat breathlessness,at the end of the cry&may turn blue.recovers by itslf.stimulate by cold /hot water on the palms/soles.dont give feeds.some times child may throw a fit due to lack of oxygen to brain.
18)Asthma.Not a sudden problem if taking proper medications.Keep a beclamethasone inhaler & give 1-2 puffs,in addition to usual drugs
19)Difficulty in breathing:Put the child in sitting position&not in lying positionDont give feeds when child is restless,till doctor sees.
20)coughing blood/vomiting blood:Emergency admission in hospital with blood transfusion fecility.dont give feeds.transport in sitting position forcough,&lying for vomiting.
21)Insect bites:Tab Avil+Dexamethasone.
22)sleeplessness;Tab?Syp:Diazapam/phenergan
Phenergan should be available in all homes&kept at height not reachable by kids.Good for:-
irritability,sleeplessness,asthma or any wheezing,allergy, coughs,rashes,vomiting,running nose ,pain any where in the body, any insect bite including scorpion sting.It is like Gold or King among the drugs for kids.
23)child's cry over 1-2 hrs:Depends on age &many other factors.There is no way to stop until the cause is foundNo harm to try phenergan syp.
24)Fall from a height:Effect depends upon height &the anatomical part touching the groundfirst.If there is no obvious external injury &if the child is conscious,but for a short cry of 5-10 mts,nothing much to worry.If child stops crying on its own it is good.If the cry is continuous ,take him to doctor.Let him decide.C-T Scan brain may be required if there is a blunt head injury.
25)Cuts/wounds/lacerations/fractures:Dont take any risk for head injuries.All city govt.hospitals equiped with Neuro centeres,for 24 hr service.
For any obvious fractures,or severe pain+inability to move any part:fold 1-2 pages of News paper as splint&keep it at center of deformed part&bandage along with the folded news paper,for immobilisation.
small cuts, lacerations:Clean it with dettol if possible,or apply sterile gause dressings(available in medical shop).INJ.TETANUS TOXOID CAN BE TAKEN LEISURLY.
Keep a first aid box to contain,dressings &all other medicines mentioned in this article(4 tabs in each variety)
It may be stressed that school children may be put to work for 1-2 hrs a week in a doctors clinic as a hobby or pastime so that he can not only learn how to practice first aid on demand when need arises,but also develope interest to become a doctor in later life that will be not only be useful to him but also to the community.
Keep the telephone numbers of the following written in the calender for ready reference;
Ambulance,nearest medical college hospital,fire,leading private hospitals,nearest doctor's clinic ,,residence,any small hospital for ambulance service only, poison controlcenter,casuality department of any big hospital.