A baby bruise

A bruise in a child is considered a relative norm, because a child should a priori be mobile, active and inquisitive. No parental prohibition will give as much useful life experience as independent study of the surrounding world. Of course, trauma is not the same as trauma, especially if it affects the most vulnerable parts of the body, which are dangerous not only for a child, but also for an adult.

This concerns the face, head, back, neck and partly the elbows, knees and ankle joints. You should also be wary of bruises in newborns. These babies require more careful attention in principle, since their body is just forming, they have no skills, including coordination skills, not to mention the experience that, for example, a three-year-old has.

It is generally accepted that newborns are like "plasticine", they are not afraid of falls and blows due to good compensatory properties of tissues and the skeletal system. This is partly true, but not so rosy. Any characteristics are effective within certain reasonable limits, and the safety margin of the baby's brain tissue is not unlimited, so you can't rely on the shock-absorbing properties of babies - it is better not to leave babies unattended.

The first thing that usually worries parents is how to differentiate a child's bruise from a dislocation, sprain or fracture. The algorithm of actions in general and first aid in particular depends on this differentiation.

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How to distinguish a bruise in a child from a more serious injury?

A bruise in a child is a blow to soft tissue, after which swelling and bruising are possible. The pain goes away fairly quickly, the baby calms down. The injured area is only slightly disturbing when touched. All movements of the injured arm or leg remain the same, without changes. Bruises and hematomas disappear gradually, along with swelling, usually within 10-14 days.

A bruise in a child may be similar to a dislocation, which is also possible in children. Due to the good elasticity of the ligaments, fractures in children are much less common than dislocations. A sign that distinguishes a bruise in a child from a dislocation is the inability to bend an arm or leg, which causes severe pain. An atypical appearance of the limb - a bend, an unusual eversion, etc. - can also be a threatening symptom. A dislocation causes painful sensations even when touching the site of injury. This situation requires an immediate call to a doctor, and it is better if the child is taken to a medical facility immediately after the injury, without waiting for the doctor to arrive.

A fracture is a serious enough injury for a person of any age. Childhood fractures, especially in babies who have not yet learned to speak, are alarming because the child can only convey their feelings by screaming and crying. Fractures cause swelling, and it is difficult to visually determine the location of the injury in such cases. Signs of a fracture are:

Obvious deformation of a bone, body part, face;

• Severe pain;
• Edema;
• Inability to move the injured limb;
• Bruise or hematoma at the site of injury projection.

First aid, before the child is taken to a medical facility, consists of fixing the injured area with a dry bandage, without adjusting or touching the injury site at all. Clothes should not be removed either, the only thing that can be done is to cut the leg or sleeve. Shoes on the injured leg should not be removed independently, so as not to further damage the bone or joint. You can apply ice or a cold compress for 15-20 minutes, no more, so as not to disrupt blood circulation. With all the desire to calm a crying baby, it is better not to pick him up, so as not to add to the injury with movements.

How to treat a bruise in a child?

A bruise in a child is treated quite simply if it is really just a bruise. You should act in the following sequence:

• Immobilize, ensure rest and immobility of the injured body part.
• Apply a dry bandage, tightening it not too tightly so as not to disrupt blood flow, but at the same time to fix the site of injury.
• Apply a cold compress to the bandage - ice, a cold object. As it warms up, change the compress. Cold compresses should not be kept for more than 20 minutes, they must be alternated at intervals of 15-20 minutes.

If on the first day there are no symptoms similar to a dislocation or fracture, you can lubricate the bruise with special baby creams containing absorbable plant-based components (Baby cream for bruises, "Healer for children" balm, etc.).

A child's bruise should alert parents if:

• The injured limb - arm, leg - has an unnatural appearance;
• A bruise in a child is accompanied by a gag reflex and elevated temperature (older children may complain of dizziness);
• A child's injury is accompanied by loss of consciousness;
• A newborn baby does not cry after a fall; crying appears after 5-10 minutes (this indicates a short-term loss of consciousness and possible brain damage);
• A bruise in a child is accompanied by lacrimation, visible changes in the eyeballs (the child often closes his eyes, this happens involuntarily);
• A child's injury is accompanied by severe, atypical drowsiness and difficulty breathing.

Bruises in children, despite their prevalence and apparent harmlessness, require careful observation for several days. At the first alarming signs, you should consult a doctor - it is better to be on the safe side to exclude the risk of serious injuries.