Minor Accidents and Injuries

Minor Injury

In an immunised person, just wash the minor injury with soap and water; nothing else needs to be done. There is no need for tetanus toxoid, mercurochrome ("red" medicine), tincture iodine, handy plast or band-aid.

Fingers caught in the door

If the skin is broken and the finger is bleeding profusely, place your thumb and forefinger on either side of the finger at the joint where the finger starts. This will stop the blood from flowing to the end of the finger. If the pain and swelling does not subside within a day, put your child's arm in a sling. Make her move her elbow around to prevent it from stiffening.

Sprains

It is very likely that your child will sprain her hands or ankles while playing. If she has torn a ligament, there might be some swelling. She may find it painful to move and will hesitate to put pressure on the joint. Rest is the best medicine for a sprain. You can also apply a poultice to the affected area. You can make a poultice wringing out a pad of gauze or linen in a saturated solution of magnesium sulphate, soda bicarbonate or salt. Then bandage the poultice to the bruised area. Apply the poultice at intervals of one or two hours, until your child is comfortable enough to wear a crepe bandage.