Preparing for the Inevitable

We recently had a scare in my house. My daughter was screaming in pain for 15 minutes because her skin was hurting. It turned out to be some orange oil got onto some raw skin, but at the time we weren’t sure what it was because nothing was showing on her skin. She is just too young (4-years-old) to really be able to explain her pain and the problem. It was scary and we were lucky that once we washed it off and put hydrocortisone cream on her skin, the pain subsided fairly quickly. It made me think about my first aid supplies and what we had around the house that could be used for just these occasions.

Below is a list of good first-aid supplies to keep on hand and their uses.

• Adhesive bandages/dressings: These allow you to cover wounds and protect them from infection or further damage. Besides it  always make your child feel better to have their favorite character to fix their booboo.
• Gauze pads: Gauze pads absorb blood and pus from wounds. They also wick moisture away from wounded skin to prevent infection and damage to the skin surrounding the wound.
• Antibiotic ointment: Ointments that contain antibiotic ingredients reduce the risk of infection by eliminating bacteria. They also form a protect cover over a wounded area.
• Tweezers: Tweezers come in handy for removing dirt and debris from wounds. You can also use tweezers for first aid for tick bites and to get those pesky slivers out.
• Scissors: To cut bandages.
• Pain Relievers: Child’s acetaminophen, ibuprofen and aspirin in your first aid kit in case of injuries that cause pain and inflammation.
• Instruction Book: Include an instruction book that outlines first aid procedures for wounds, bites and stings, sprains, strains, sports injuries and burns.
• Antiseptic Wipes: These pre-packaged wipes contain antiseptic substances that kill bacteria.
• Cloth Tape: Cloth tape allows you to immobilize minor injuries or secure bandages in place.
• Hydrocortisone Cream: This cream reduces irritation and itching for bites, stings and other skin irritations. My personal favorite and the one I use most often.
• Thermometer: Keep a thermometer handy in case you need to check for a fever.

Here are some things you may have around the house that can be used for first aid:

Aloe for burns after it’s been under running cool (not cold) water for at least 10 minutes. The aloe vera plant can be used to soothe minor burns, scalds and sunburn. Split a leaf open and apply the gel to the affected area to cool, moisturize and promote healing.

Ginger is useful for nausea and to prevent travel sickness. Chew a piece of crystallized ginger or drink fresh infused ginger herbal tea. This can also be useful during pregnancy.

Use an infusion of chamomile flowers taken as herbal tea for nervous upsets, to reduce cramping, and help indigestion. It is also use in a bath to minimize the pain and swelling from a sunburn.

Use an infusion of peppermint leaves in an herbal tea for indigestion.

Frozen veggies can be used as an ice pack.

Baking soda is a safe and effective antacid to relieve heartburn, sour stomach, and/or acid indigestion. Refer to baking soda package for instructions.

Finely ground oatmeal in the bath is just the ticket for a sun burn. If you make it into a paste it can soothe a sun burn, mosquito bites, heat rash and poison ivy.

Witch hazel – A natural astringent which helps heal blisters, bug bites and bruises.

Here is a good phone number to keep on the refrigerator along with your child’s doctor and other emergency numbers:

Poison Control Center 1.800.222.1222
Call the 24-hour toll-free emergency hotline

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Back-to-School and Kids (and you) Staying Healthy!

With your kids back in school and new exposure to germs and other fun little sniffles from the other children – how do you recognize when your child doesn’t just have the sniffles, but actually has a fever that might lead to illness and you should possibly see a doctor?  Well, I have been ‘down for the count’ for 3 whole days with a fever and sore throat which I caught from my boyfriend’s 3-year-old cousin who recently went back to school. I won’t lie though, I did call my mom for advice on my sickness.

As a parent, you’ve probably experienced waking in the middle of the night to find your child rosy checked, hot, and sweaty. You check your little one’s forehead, and it feels warm. You might immediately suspect a fever, but are unsure of what to do next. Should you get out the thermometer? Call the doctor?

According to Kids Health Organization, “In healthy kids, fevers usually don’t indicate anything serious. Although it can be frightening when your child’s temperature rises, fever itself causes no harm and can actually be a good thing — it’s often the body’s way of fighting infections. And not all fevers need to be treated. High fever, however, can make a child uncomfortable and worsen problems such as dehydration.”

Here are some facts about fevers, how to measure them and when to call the doc. 

Fever Facts
Fever occurs when the body’s internal “thermostat” raises the body temperature above its normal level. This thermostat is found in the part of the brain called the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus knows what temperature your body should be (usually around 98.6° Fahrenheit or 37° Celsius) and will send messages to your body to keep it that way.

Sometimes, though, the hypothalamus will “reset” the body to a higher temperature in response to an infection, illness, or some other cause.

Causes of Fever
It’s important to remember that fever by itself is not an illness — it’s usually a symptom of an underlying problem. According to Kids Health Organization, fever has a few potential causes:

Infection: Most fevers are caused by infection or other illness. Fever helps the body fight infections by stimulating natural defense mechanisms.

Overdressing: Infants, especially newborns, may get fevers if they’re over bundled or in a hot environment because they don’t regulate their body temperature as well as older kids. However, because fevers in newborns can indicate a serious infection, even infants who are overdressed must be evaluated by a doctor if they have a fever.

Immunizations:
Babies and kids sometimes get a low-grade fever after getting vaccinated.

Although teething may cause a slight rise in body temperature, it’s probably not the cause if a child’s temperature is higher than 100° F (37.8° C).

How to Tell Your Kid Has a Fever.
A gentle kiss on the forehead or a hand placed lightly on the skin is often enough to give you a hint that your child has a fever. However, this method of taking a temperature (called tactile temperature) is dependent on the person doing the feeling and doesn’t give an accurate measure of temperature.

Use a reliable thermometer to confirm a fever (which is when a child’s temperature is at or above one of these levels): 

• 100.4° F (38° C) measured rectally (in the bottom)
• 99.5° F (37.5° C) measured orally (in the mouth)
• 99° F (37.2° C) measured in an axillary position (under the arm)

But how high a fever is doesn’t tell you much about how sick your child is. A simple cold or other viral infection can sometimes cause a rather high fever (in the 102°-104° F / 38.9°-40° C range), but this doesn’t usually indicate a serious problem. And serious infections might cause no fever or even an abnormally low body temperature, especially in infants.

Other signs are:

• Hot and flushed all over
• Irritability or crying
• Listless or lethargic
• Restless during the night
• Loss of appetite
• Uncontrollable shivering
• Sudden vomiting
• Whining, complaining or clinginess

When a Fever Is Something Serious
In the past, doctors advised treating a fever on the basis of temperature alone. But now they recommend considering both the temperature and a child’s overall condition.

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