What to do when your child endures minor trauma

The team at Village Pediatrics is made up of award-winning medical professionals, but even more so, our practice consists of caring mothers who completely relate to all the emotions parents go through when their children get hurt. Village Pediatrics is there for your family every step of the way, as we have all the proper tools for first aid treatment, x-ray examinations and pediatricians who want to see your child feeling normal again just as much as you do. Learn more about the common types of minor childhood trauma and the best treatments for each.

Symptoms and Conditions of Minor Trauma

Broken Bones

Red flags for broken bones include bruising, tenderness, limping, physical deformity, numbness, bleeding, swelling and pain directly above the bone. If you believe your child is suffering from broken bones, contact your pediatrician right away or seek emergency care immediately. With the bare eyes, it is hard to tell whether there is actually a broken bone present, or instead if it is a fracture or sprain. Therefore, medical attention is needed to get a thorough x-ray examination. If indeed your child does have any broken bones, that injured body part will be placed in a temporary cast until it is confirmed the bones have properly healed. Thankfully, broken bones in kids are considered to heal much sooner than in adults.

Cuts

Fortunately, there are some variations of cuts that can be healed at home with traditional first aid care. However, if the injury appears more serious, your child will definitely need to visit with their pediatrician, especially if you find the cut continues bleeding even after pressure has been applied and the area has been in an elevated position. At Village Pediatrics, our experienced pediatricians are more than happy to help your child by assessing the intensity of their wound. Next, they will proceed to carryout the medical treatment needed starting with properly cleaning your child’s cut, numbing the affected area may also be necessary. When the cut is this severe, typically the procedure for closing it is often stitches, sutures or medical glue that is safe for the skin. Additionally, if your child’s wound accompanies a puncture, a tetanus booster shot would be provided to prevent further infection. When changing your child’s dressings, it’s always crucial to have clean hands and work in a safe area. At-home treatment usually consists of a prescription to ensure proper healing.

Burns

There are several factors that play into whether your child may need to be seen by their pediatrician, including how bad the skin has been injured, how old your child is and where the burn is ultimately located. The more severe the burn is, the higher chances there are for infection. If the burn is really extreme, seek emergency care right away.

Abscess

An abscess is a compact bump filled with pus, which is very sore and swollen. The surrounding area of the boil may be a red or pinkish color and is extremely painful. Normally the cause of an abscess is due to a bacterial infection present, and the body’s response to fighting off the infection is what causes the abscess to develop. Typically, you may find an abscess in any place on the body and they can occur inside or underneath the surface of the skin. Generally, antibiotics are not enough to heal the abscess on its own, so your child may need to visit with their pediatrician to have their abscess drained in order to cure the infection.

Treatment Options

As a parent, it’s always best to trust your instincts and act fast to limit complications. This is why it’s never a bad idea to reach out to your pediatrician for a second opinion, especially when you’re not sure of the severity. Depending on the trauma your child is experiencing, there could be a serious infection or injury that you don’t want to take any chances with. Additionally, if you notice your child begins to develop a fever, or their wound appears darker, grows larger, reopens or has sunken further reach contact us right away.

Please keep in mind if your child has more extreme trauma such as a car accident, they need to be examined at an emergency facility immediately. If you need help from your child's pediatrician, text (469) 382-3796 or click here to schedule an appointment with Village Pediatrics via an in-office, telehealth, or curbside appointment today.