Keeping kids healthy and safe is the top priority for parents. Most parents have experienced numerous trips to the pediatrician’s office and even a few emergency room visits. Outside of a lollipop or a sticker received at the end of the office visit, most kids don’t care to visit the doctor’s office. Following are tips to treat some of the most common childhood ailments to avoid a few office visits (and the corresponding co-pay):
1. Bloody nose. Nosebleeds are a common occurrence in dry climates but can also be caused by colds, allergies, or an injury. To stop the bleeding, begin by calming down your child and pinching the soft parts of the nose together with your thumb and index finger. Keep their head elevated and maintain your hold for about five minutes. Once the bleeding stops, apply a light coat of Vaseline under each nostril. Use a dark-colored washcloth when wiping their nose so they won’t panic at the sight of blood.
2. Stuffy nose. For those unable to blow their nose, such as infants and toddlers, use a bulb syringe to suction the fluids out of their nose. For older kids, use a non-medicated saline spray and have them blow their nose into a tissue. Use a humidifier during bedtime for easier breathing, and elevate their head with an extra pillow.
3. Cough and sore throat. Soothe a cold by giving kids plenty of liquids, including their favorite soups or frozen treats. Encourage them to drink extra fluids by offering them fun straws to use. To reduce inflammation in their throat, have them gargle a few times a day with warm salt water.
4. Medicine. Use a medicine dropper to squirt liquid medicine into the mouth of an infant or toddler. For an older child who can’t stand the taste of the medicine, ask your pediatrician if you can mix the medicine with another liquid or a small amount of food. For those that must swallow a pill, wash it down by drinking water from a water bottle. The small opening of the water bottle will help guide the pill toward the back of their mouth and down the throat.
5. Eye drops. Pinkeye and other eye infections require eye drops. To ensure the drops stay in your child’s eyes, have them lie down, or have another adult hold them on their lap. Gently pull down the lower eyelid and insert the drops. After the drops are inserted, children should keep their eyes closed for one minute.
6. Soap in eyes. To eliminate the burning sensation from soap in the eyes, encourage your child to wear swim goggles or a sun visor during the next bath to keep the shampoo from running into their eyes.
7. Splinter. Put a piece of scotch tape over the splinter. Most splinters will come off with the tape easily and painlessly. For stubborn splinters, soak the area in warm water for a few minutes and dry before applying the tape.
8. Bee sting. For bug bites where the stinger is still in the skin, remove the stinger by gently scraping the skin horizontally with your fingernail or with the side of a credit card. Apply a paste made of equal parts of baking soda and water. This will relieve the pain and itching.
9. First degree burn. To treat a first degree burn, run cool water over the burn until the pain is relieved then lightly wrap a gauze bandage around the area. Don’t apply ointment or lotion on the affected area. To treat a sunburn, place a cool wet washcloth over the area for approximately 10 minutes. Follow up with a light moisturizer or Aloe Vera.
10. Band aid removal. For pain-free band aid removal, rub a little baby oil around the edges of the bandage. Wait a few minutes and the band aid should slide off easily.
Use these health remedies to treat your child for common ailments.
Hilary Basile is a writer for http://www.myguidesusa.com/ At MyGuidesUSA.com, you will find valuable tips and resources for handling life’s major events. Whether you’re planning a wedding, buying your first home, anxiously awaiting the birth of a child, contending with a divorce, searching for a new job, or planning for your retirement, you’ll find answers to your questions at http://www.myguidesusa.com/
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