First Aid: To the bone
With summer in full swing and kids excited to head outdoors to play, the possibility of getting injured isn't a distant possibility. When the injury takes a more serious tone, such as a sprain or a fracture, it's important to know what to do and not to panic.
How do we tell the difference between a sprain and a fracture?
It is difficult to differentiate as both conditions result in swelling around the injury, bruising of the skin and both feel pretty painful. The best thing to do is to treat the injury as if it is a fracture.
How many types of fracture are there?
Generally, there are two types. Closed fracture is when there is a break in the bone but no damage to the skin or tissue. There will be swelling or skin discolouration at the site of the injury and the injured limb(肢体) cannot move. Open or compound fractures are more obvious as there is a break in the bone, bleeding, and an open wound near the fracture. There is a risk of bacteria getting into the bone, which can cause infection, so seek treatment promptly.
What should parents do?
Parents should:
⒈ Take clothing off the injured area.
⒉ If there is no open wound, apply an ice pack to relieve pain and swelling.
⒊ If a bone fracture is suspected, make a simple splint(夹板)with a board or folded newspapers to immobilise the limb.
⒋ For open fractures, do not wash the wound or push in any bone that's sticking out as this causes infection. If the wound continues to bleed, use a clean cloth and press the wound to stop the bleeding. Do not straighten the deformed or curved limbs.
⒌ If the injury is to the head, neck or back, do not move your child and call 999 immediately.
