Top 5 Injuries to Watch Out for with Your Little Ones
This blog post was first published here on Affidea.ie.
Whether you’re a new parent or your kids are already in school, chances are you are always worrying about their wellbeing! And while everyday scrapes and bumps are all part of childhood, there are some injuries you should watch out for. Dr David Foley is a Consultant in Emergency Medicine, and Medical Director of Affidea ExpressCare Minor Injuries & Illnesses Walk-In Clinic in Dublin. According to him, these are the 5 most common children’s injuries.
1. Falls / Limb Injuries
Falls are the most common cause of non-life-threatening injuries in children and young adults. This age group have a decreased realisation of risk and an enthusiasm for exploration, which means waiting rooms are full of young people with abrasions, lacerations and injured bones. Injury prevention through proper education and attention to safety equipment, such as cycling helmets and car seats, can help to reduce the more serious type of head injuries in road traffic accidents.
2. Foreign Body Insertions
The natural curiosity of toddlers can cause them to insert small objects in their nose or ears. Often unknown to parents, these foreign insertions can come to light when the doctor is investigating possible infection or discharge from the ears or nose of these young patients. It can prove quite a challenge to remove objects, particularly given the natural reluctance of the toddler to comply with the examination.
3. Accidental Ingestions
A potentially more serious downside of this curiosity is the oral ingestion of objects like small coins or batteries. Button batteries in particular can cause burns to the gastrointestinal tract and lead to serious abdominal complications. Any suspicions of ingestion should prompt immediate treatment.
4. Water Accidents
With (hopefully) good weather comes an increased risk of accidents related to swimming in unfamiliar places or unaccompanied. Drowning is the leading cause of fatal injury in the toddler age group, and public education and vigilance remain the backbone of prevention. Watersafety.ie is an excellent resource for advice and practical interventions, which can help increase awareness of the dangers of water and how we can reduce them.
5. Burns
Scalds from hot liquids are the most common cause of burns in toddlers, and the effects can be fatal. Immediate application of cold water to the affected area will help reduce the extent of the thermal injury, while follow-up with a doctor to ensure appropriate dressings and wound care is important. Flame injury affects the older age groups and, again, vigilance and education have a large role to play in mitigating the frequency of these types of injuries.
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