First Aid for Children

By Stacey Colino and Claire McCarthy, M.D.; Parents

First Aid Tips for Burns

Burns occur in different severities: First degree (skin reddens but doesn't blister), second-degree (skin reddens and blisters), and third-degree (skin is charred and irreversibly damaged). To treat a minor burn, follow these steps:

1. Hold the area under a cool tap for five minutes to cool the skin, ease pain, and halt inflammation.

2. Cover the burn with a clean bandage.

3. Protect the burn by washing with soap and water, but no ointments.

If you think your child is in pain, you can give them acetaminophen or ibuprofen. If a blister forms, let it be: That bubble is a barrier that helps prevent infection.

When treating burns at home, avoid the following:

• Using butter, grease, or other "home remedies"

• Using ice on a burn

• Rubbing a burn

• Doing any of these things could cause more pain, delay healing, or damage the skin further

Get medical help in the following situations:

• Your child's skin looks very angry, splotchy, wet, or waxy, or if they can't move it

• Your child has a chemical burn (for example, from getting bleach or drain cleaner on their skin)

• If a burn is the size of their palm or larger

• If it's on their face, ears, hands, genitals, or feet

  
  

If it extends around their wrist or the circumference of another extremity

These symptoms indicate severe burns that require prompt medical attention.

What Are the Different Burn Degrees?

Burn Degree	Where it Affects	What it Looks Like
First Degree	Damages the superficial (outer) layer of skin	Swollen, red
Second Degree	Damages the outer and underlayer of the skin	Blisters, swollen, red
Third Degree	Destroys the outer and underlayer of the skin, and may damage bones and muscle tissue	White, charred

Any burn that covers 10% or more of a child's body is considered a major injury and requires emergency medical help.

First Aid Tips for Poisoning

If you suspect your child has ingested something poisonous, call 911 if your child loses consciousness, has trouble breathing, or convulses.

The AAP recommends the following immediate steps for poisoning:

1. If your child swallowed something, take the remaining item(s) away and have them spit out what's in their mouth.

2. If they swallowed a battery, call 911 or go to the ER.

3. If the poison is on their skin, remove their clothes and rinse their skin with lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes.

4. If it's in their eyes, flush their eyes with water for 15 minutes, aiming for the inner corner.

5. If they inhale poisonous fumes, get to fresh air immediately and start CPR if they stop breathing.

What to avoid

Do not induce vomiting or give syrup of ipecac. That's because, in some cases, certain substances can cause more gastrointestinal or airway injury when you vomit.

When to get help

Poisoning is complicated, with different treatments depending on the substance. So, whenever your child ingests or is exposed to poison, always contact a health care provider for guidance.

Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222

First Aid Tips for Choking

Choking is scary …but try your hardest to stay calm. First, keep talking. If your child can answer you with simple sounds, their airway is clear. If they can’t respond, get someone to call 911 or dial it yourself and put the phone on speaker. The following are the steps for the Heimlich maneuver in kids ages 1-8:

1. Stand behind your child.

2. Wrap your arms around their waist.

3. Make a fist and place the thumb side of your fist against their upper abdomen (just below their rib cage and above their belly button).

4. Now, grasp your fist with your other hand.

5. Perform quick, upward thrusts until the item is expelled.

If your child is a baby under 1, pick them up and place them face down on your forearm. Then, use the heel of your hand to deliver five firm back blows between their shoulder blades.

What to avoid

Don’t respond aggressively. Dr. Carius says if your child is coughing but can talk, let them cough up the item. Resist the urge to put your fingers in their mouth or throat.

When to get help

If their breathing seems strange, or they can’t speak normally after the episode, you should take them to the ER. Always call 911 if your child becomes unresponsive or you need to perform the Heimlich maneuver.

Get CPR Training

Consider taking a CPR course if you don’t know what to do when your child is choking or stops breathing. You can sign up for in-person or online classes and get the skills to help you prepare for an emergency.

First Aid Tips for Allergic Reactions

Allergic reactions could be from something your child ate, being stung by a bee, coming in contact with a plant, or petting a dog or cat. Common allergy symptoms in kids are usually more of a nuisance than an emergency. If your child has a benign allergic reaction, they may sneeze, have a runny nose, or have a rash. You can treat mild allergies at home with over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamines or creams.

However, some allergic reactions are severe—this is called anaphylaxis. Symptoms of anaphylaxis include:

• Wheezing

• Coughing

• Difficulty breathing or swallowing

• Hives

• Skin that turns pale or blue

• Lip or tongue swelling

• Nasal symptoms, like sneezing and runny nose

• Hoarseness

• Weak pulse

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Dizziness or fainting

• A feeling of impending doom

• Confusion or agitation.

In infants, these symptoms may appear as excessive sleepiness, fussiness, and drooling. If you have epinephrine (commonly called an "epi-pen"), use it. If you do not have one, call 911 immediately.

What to avoid

If your child has a severe allergic reaction, don't treat it alone at home. Anaphylaxis is life-threatening. Even if you used an epi-pen successfully, still take your child in to be seen.

When to get help

Even with mild allergic reactions, seeing a health care provider is a good idea. They can help diagnose precisely what is causing the allergy so you can help your child avoid the allergens. They will also help you develop a plan for managing their allergies.

Severe allergic reactions require prompt medical attention. If your child has anaphylaxis symptoms, call 911 right away.