Bumps, bruises, and bites: basic first aid for the whole family - includes related articles on home remedies and pain relief

Linda B. White

LIVING IS AN INHERENTLY RISKY ENTERPRISE. ACCIDENTS HAPPEN. Children get hurt. Rather than fret over your child, take reasonable safety precautions--bike helmets and all--and prepare for the inevitable bumps, bruises, and bites.

In the midst of a crisis, you will not have time to consult a book, so learn basic first aid now. Also post phone numbers for your health practitioner, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), the Poison Control Center, and immediate family members. Keep an emergency kit handy [see "Basic First Aid Kit"], remembering to tell others where it is. When injuries occur, you can then remain calm, reassuring, and attentive to your child--step one inpromoting healing.

SKIN TRAUMA

Scratches and abrasions (scrapes). These superficial injuries usually need only a good washing with tepid water and mild soap. Gentle dishwashing detergent, which cuts grease, is one good choice.

Another is grapefruit seed extract skin cleanser. Grapefruit seed contains an antimicrobial agent effective against many bacteria, including strep, staph, and tetanus.

After washing the injured area, use a clean washcloth, sterile gauze, or clean tweezers to gently remove foreign objects from the wound. This will prevent infection, discomfort, scarring, and, in the case of a fall on asphalt, permanent tattooing. If you cannot remove all the debris, take your child to your health practitioner.

Wounds heal quicker when exposed to air, so avoid bandaging a scrape unless you must. According to John Squires, a plastic surgeon, Bacitracin and other antibiotic ointments are not needed to prevent infection in minor scrapes, but do help keep the skin moist, which promotes healing.(1) Ointments are especially helpful in preventing scabs from breaking open on elbows and knees, where the skin is subject to repeated stretching.

Lacerations (cuts). To treat lacerations, cover the would with a sterile dressing or clean cloth, and apply direct, steady pressure until the bleeding stops. If the dressing soaks through with blood, place a fresh one on top of it and keep pressing. Once the bleeding is under control, remove the dressings and wash the cut with plenty of tepid water and mild soap. If you decide to soak the injured area in povidone-iodine, the skin cleanser widely used in hospitals, first dilute it: 1 part cleanser to 10 parts tap water. Avoid cleaning the cut with alcohol or Merthiolate, which can sting and cause tissue damage; hydrogen peroxide is only weakly antimicrobial and can interfere with blood clot formation.(2) After the wound is clean, apply an antiseptic cream or ointment and, if necessary, a bandage.

If the bleeding does not stop after 10 to 15 minutes of pressure, call your health practitioner. Sutures (stitches) may be in order if the laceration is ragged or deep, or causes the skin edges to separate. Dennis Beck, an emergency physician, says medical care is also advised for lacerations that cross a joint, contain a foreign body, or occur on the face, hands, or feet.(3) Squires recommends plastic surgery for "any significant facial laceration, especially if it has jagged edges, doesn't fall within the natural skin creases, or involves the lips, eyelids, or nose."

If your child needs sutures, measures can be taken to prevent scarring. Squires suggests protecting the healing skin from sunburn, getting the stitches out on time, and steering clear of topical vitamin E for about two weeks after the injury, or until the wound has healed.

If at any point you notice signs of infection in a sutured or unsutured wound, call your health practitioner. Signs of infection include redness, warmth, swelling, pus, increased pain, and foul smell.

Puncture wounds. A sharp, narrow object (such as a nail) that penetrates the skin causes a puncture wound. Such an injury is not wide enough to require suturing. It is, however, prone to infection because bleeding--the body's way of cleansing--may be scanty and healing may occur quickly, trapping bacteria inside.

To help prevent infection, wash the wound thoroughly, remove foreign objects, trim flaps of skin with sterile scissors (call your health practitioner in the event of a large flap of skin), and soak the area for 15 minutes in hot-to-tolerance water. You can add diluted povidone-iodine or diluted grapefruit seed extract to the water, if you wish. You can also alternate hot (5 minutes) and cold (1 minute) soaks. For the first day, keep the wound bandaged to protect it from dirt.

Puncture wounds merit medical attention if the object causing the trauma was dirty or remains lodged inside the wound; if foreign matter of any sort is inside the wound; if the puncture site is the head, chest, or abdomen; if the object penetrated a joint; or if the wound later shows signs of infection. If your child is unvaccinated or not up-to-date on tetanus shots, you may want to seek assistance in evaluating the severity of the wound.

Burns. The sun, fire, hot liquids, electricity, radiation, friction, and chemicals can all cause burns to the skin. (Inhalation of hot air, smoke, or fumes from fires can injure the airway.) Skin damage is measured by degrees. In a first-degree burn, the skin is red and painful. The hallmark of a second-degree burn is blistering. A third-degree burn, in which the skin is white or charred, is not painful because the nerves have been destroyed.

If your child gets a first- or second-degree burn, immediately immerse the area in cold water, or apply a cold compress for 10 minutes or until the pain stops. If the burn was caused by a chemical, remove splashed clothing and rinse the skin with lots of cool water, preferably in the shower. Avoid putting ice directly on the burned skin. (For mouth burns, sucking on ice or Popsicles is often helpful.) Avoid breaking the blisters, and do not apply ointments or butter. Keep the burn clean by gently washing it twice a day with water and mild soap. Aloe vera gel may provide some relief.

For a third-degree burn, call EMS. Then cut away all clothing that does not adhere to the skin, and loosely cover the affected area with nonadhesive sterile dressings or clean cloths such as linen or muslin. Do not put anything else on the burned skin, and do not immerse it in water. To prevent swelling on burned extremities, keep them elevated.

Call your health practitioner right away if the burn is extensive or electrical, or caused by an explosion or a source of extreme heat; invoves the face, eyes, airway, hands, feet, or genitals; or if signs of infection later develop.

BLOODY NOSES

To stop a bloody nose, apply steady pressure by tightly pinching the nostrils together for 5 to 10 minutes. Have your child sit up and lean forward to avoid swallowing the blood. If bleeding persists, keep up the pinching and phone your health practitioner. For recurrent nosebleeds, try coating the inside of your child's nose with ointment or salve--beeswax mixed with olive or almond oil works well; humidifying her bedroom; and increasing her intake of vitamin C. Consult your health practitioner if none of these suggestions helps.

MUSCULOSKELETAL TRAUMA

Muscle strains (pulled muscles) and mild ligament sprains. These kinds of injuries, says orthopedic surgeon Doug Gurley, occur most often in older children, teenagers, and adults, and can usually be managed at home in accordance with the acronym RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation).(4) The ice is best applied in a plastic bag wrapped with a damp cloth to protect the skin. Ice the injured area for 20 to 30 minutes, and repeat three more times on day one. Continue using ice compresses for 7 to 10 days. Heat will increase the swelling, so steer clear of heating pads, hot water bottles, and hot baths until two to three weeks after the injury.

Compression is achieved by wrapping the injured limb with an Ace or other elastic bandage--but only, Gurley warns, as snugly as an average-fitting sock. A too-tight bandage can increase swelling below the injury. Remove and rewrap the bandage at least twice a day. Proper elevation entails getting the injured area above the heart.

Call your health practitioner if pain or limping has not improved within 72 hours.

Muscle cramps. Episodes of cramping that come during or after exertion are often triggered by dehydration. To help soothe the pain, have your child stretch the affected muscle. Try gentle massage. Apply moist heat in the form of a hot water bottle or a hot-to-tolerance wet towel. A warm bath with or without infusions of sage, thyme, or lavender can also relax tight muscles.

Fractures (broken bones), dislocations (bones out of joint), and serious ligament sprains. These all require medical attention. Young children are more apt to break bones than are adolescents and adults. Gurley notes that swelling around the elbow or wrist following an injury--especially in children under six years of age--often indicates a fracture and should be seen right away by a doctor, preferably an emergency room physician or an orthopedic surgeon. Other signs of serious musculoskeletal injury include intense pain, incapacity to move the body part normally, limping or inability to bear weight, bruising, swelling, numbness further down the arm or leg, obvious deformity, and exposed bone.

In any of these instances, avoid moving your child without first immobilizing the injured area. To splint it, place a rolled towel, magazine, or piece of cardboard or wood alongside the injury, then wrap with tape or tie with string, shoelaces, or strips of cloth. Do not try to straighten a misaligned bone. If a bone has pierced the skin, cover it with a sterile dressing before splinting it. If the injury involves a badly deformed or broken bone, call EMS for ambulance transport, and avoid transferring your child unless you must--in which case, be sure to move him all in one piece, supporting his back with a board and his neck with rolled towels.

TOOTH TRAUMA

Minor mouth injuries can cause bleeding gums and slightly loose teeth. Healing tends to occur within three days. Sucking on ice or Popsicles may ease the pain. If a tooth is displaced and does not return to its normal position within a few weeks, or becomes discolored or sensitive to cold or heat, call your dentist.

If your child's tooth is cracked or chipped, see your dentist. If your child's tooth is completely knocked out (avulsed), see your dentist immediately. For an avulsed permanent tooth, dentist Michael Bloss says to grasp it by the crown, gently rinse it with water, reinsert it into the socket, and instruct your child to bite down on a wad of gauze or cloth until you get to the dental office or emergency room.(5) Alternatively, keep the tooth moist in a clean wet cloth or gauze, or soak it in a cup of water or milk.

EYE TRAUMA

Black eyes. A direct blow to the eye commonly results in a black eye, an injury that tends to heal on its own within a couple of weeks. Call your health practitioner if the skin is split or if the wound was caused by a fastmoving object such as a baseball or, on the advice of ophthalmologist Larry Underwood, anything made of rough wood that could leave fibers in the eye or eyelids.(6) Other signs of serious injury include unequal pupils, excessive tearing or discharge, double vision, and blurred or decreased vision.

Foreign body in the eye. Signs and symptoms that a foreign object is lodged in the eye include pain or burning, redness, tearing, rapid blinking, and increased sensitivity to light. Do not let your child rub the affected eye. To remove the object, first try rinsing the eye: while your child lies with her injured eye down, flush the eye with copious amounts of running water, or have her dip her face into a bowl of clean water and blink. (If a chemical has splashed into your child's eye, rinse the eye with running water for at least 10 to 15 minutes before going to the hospital.)

If rinsing fails to remove the object, gently grasp the eyelashes and pull each eyelid away from the eye one at a time; have your child look up so that you can peer under the lower lid, then down so that you can peer under the upper lid. If you find the offending object on either the eye or eyelid, gently wipe it with a clean water-moistened cloth, tissue, or cotton swab. Never use dry cotton or tweezers. If you remove the object and your child continues to have pain, redness, and tearing, call an ophthalmologist.

Never attempt to remove an embedded object from the eye. Instead, have your child close both eyes; loosely cover them with sterile dressings or clean cloths; and proceed to the hospital.

HEAD TRAUMA

Most childhood head injuries are not serious. They can, however, appear scary, causing profuse bleeding or hematomas ("eggs")--both of which result from the scalp's rich supply of blood. Bruising spreads downward with gravity, sometimes causing black eyes within a few days of injury.

Run-of-the-mill childhood head wounds rarely require X rays. One reason is that only 1 or 2 percent of children's head injuries results in a skull fracture.(7) Another is that the presence of uncomplicated fractures does not alter the treatment plan.

After a head bonk, wash cuts and scrapes and apply gentle, steady pressure to stop any bleeding. Use cold compresses to reduce swelling. Observe your child. If he is soon up and running, you need not worry about serious head injury.

In the event of more worrisome accidents, keep a close eye on your child for the first 24 hours. If he vomits, give him only clear liquids until he feels better. If he develops a headache, avoid giving him pain medications that can mask his reaction to the injury [for alternatives, see "Pain Relief"]. Simply encourage him to lie still and rest. Mary Kohn, MD, says that although children often want to sleep after undergoing trauma to the head, it is best to keep them awake for at least an hour to ensure that they have not lost consciousness. If your child seems fully aware after an hour, it is fine to let him sleep, checking on him periodically.(8)

The night after a morning or afternoon injury, awaken your child twice--once before you go to bed, and again about four hours later. If your child has hit his head just before bedtime, Kohn adds, awaken him every 60 minutes for the first few hours to check his level of consciousness. (Parents are often advised to check their child's pupils with a flashlight. Pupil abnormalities, however, are late signs of brain injury, occurring after consciousness has been lost. Bulging fontanels, which hinge on a subjective evaluation, are another late indication of serious injury.)

Call your health practitioner if the injury was serious; your child is an infant and the head injury was more than mild; your child has facila and scalp lacerations that require suturing; blood-tinged or watery fluid seeps from your child's nose or ears; or your child cries for more than 15 minutes, loses consciousness, becomes confused, has amnesia, has a seizure, vomits more than three times, becomes very sleepy or difficult to arouse, walks unsteadily, develops slurred speech, or complains of severe headache, blurred or double vision, arm weakness, or neck pain. Additionally, if the accident was serious, be wary of spinal injury. Do not move your child. If you must relocate him, first stabilize his neck (with a folded towel wrapped and taped in place) and back (with a board), then carefully move him without disturbing the spine.

BITES AND STINGS

Insect bites and stings. Insects that bite include mosquitoes, chiggers, lice, bedbugs, fleas, and flies. None are poisonous. Simply wash the bite with soap and water to prevent infection. If the bite burns or itches, apply a cold compress.

Insects that sting include fire ants, honeybees, hornets, yellow jackets, and wasps. Only the honeybee leaves behind its stinger. If your child is stung by a honeybee, gently scrape off the stinger--attempting to squeeze it out between fingernails or tweezers may trigger the release of more venom. If your child is stung by any of these insects, the area may swell, so remove constricting jewelry and apply a cold compress.

To neutralize bee stings (acidic), apply bicarbonate of soda or other alkali. For wasp stings (alkaline), use vinegar or lemon juice.(9) For stings of all sorts, you can rub on any nonpoisonous green plant; the chlorophyll in the leaves will help relieve pain.(10) [See "Home Remedies" for more topical applications.]

Homeopathic remedies may also be effective. Ledum is sometimes given for itching bites or stings from mosquitoes, bees, or wasps. Apis may be helpful for bites or stings that are red, swollen, or hot, or if the pain is worsened by heat.(11)

Call EMS if your child has a bite or sting inside the mouth or throat, or shows signs of a bad allergic reaction such as localized swelling, hives, nausea, vomiting, or stomach cramps; swelling of lips, face, eyes, or tongue; or difficulty swallowing or breathing.

Ticks. These members of the spider family burrow into the skin to suck blood. Although most ticks are benign, some transmit a variety of illnesses, including Colorado tick fever, Rocky Moutain spotted fever, and Lyme disease.

If you find a tick embedded in your child's skin, grasp it as close to the skin as possible--tweezers work well--and pull steadily until the tick releases its grip. Do not use undue force; if you do, the head or mouthparts may be left behind and may cause infection. Do not try to burn the tick off. And do not attempt to "suffocate" the tick or cause it to back out by covering it with petroleum jelly or heavy oil; this sometimes recommended technique is rendered ineffectual by the fact that ticks breathe only a few times an hour.(12) Simply pull the tick out, dispose of it, then wash the bite thoroughly with soap and water, and apply an antiseptic.

Call your health practitioner if you cannot remove the entire tick or if, days to weeks later, your child develops an infection around the bite, fever, flulike symptoms, or swollen lymph nodes.

Venomous spider and scorpion bites. Most spider bites are not serious. Venomous spiders include the brown recluse spider (tan with a dark violinshaped mark on its back), the black widow spider (black or brown with a red hourglass shape on its underside), the tarantula, and the scorpion.

Reactions to a venomous bite vary according to the species of spider. Call the Poison Control Center if your child shows signs of a serious reaction: severe pain or numbness in the area of the bite, rash, muscle rigidity, headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, malaise, or difficulty breathing. If you know what type of arachnid it was, call the hospital's emergency department so that the staff can prepare the correct antivenin. If you are not sure of the species, capture the spider for later identification.

While waiting for help to arrive, wash the bite with soap and water. Remove constricting jewelry and clothing. To minimize the circulation of toxin, keep your child still and position the bitten body part below the level of the heart. Do not use a tourniquet. Apply a cold compress to help alleviate pain, swelling, and the spread of venom. If signs of shock develop, lay your child flat and, provided that the bite was not on the feet or legs, elevate her feet.

If the initial reaction was not serious, but the bite later shows signs of infection, call your health practitioner.

Snakebites. Only 5 percent of snake species are venomous.(13) If your child is bitten by a venomous snake--such as a cottonmouth, copperhead, rattlesnake, or coral snake--wash the wound immediately. If possible, have someone else call EMS while you stay with your child. If you are alone, carry your child to help.

To prepare the correct antivenin, the hospital's emergency department staff will need to know the type of snake. If you are not sure of the species but suspect it was venomous, carefully observe the snake's size, coloring, markings, and presence or absence of a rattler for later identification.

Meantime, retard the circulation of toxin by having your child lie still and by positioning the bitten area below the level of the heart. Remove constricting jewelry and clothing. Keep your child warm. Do not cut the bite wound, as this can cause more harm than good. Do not waste time attempting to suction out the venom; according to Dr. Beck, the suction cups supplied in snakebite kits are not strong enough to draw the venom out through the puncture. Do not apply a tourniquet or cold compress--both of which impair circulation, thus increasing tissue damage. Unless advised otherwise by a medical professional, do not give your child pain medication, particularly aspirin, which inhibits blood clotting. "The key," says Beck, "is rapid transport to definitive medical care for antivenin."

If your child is bitten by a poisonous snake and you are more than half an hour from medical help, apply a loosely constrictive band close to the bite, between the wound and the heart. The band should be just tight enough to block the flow of lymph and blood within superficial veins. Obstructing deeper veins and arteries can cause serious tissue injury. Try to slip a finger under the band; if you cannot, loosen it.

Signs and symptoms of snakebites vary, depending on the type of snake and the amount of venom injected. Reactions include local pain, swelling, a bruiselike discoloration of the skin, weakness, dizziness, chills, nausea, vomiting, respiratory distress, and shock.

Mammalian bites. If your child is bitten by an animal that may be rabid, contact the police or animal control to make a sure determination. If the wound is bleeding, raise the injured area above the heart and apply direct, steady pressure. After the bleeding is under control, vigorously wash the bite with soap and water. If you suspect that the animal is rabid--likely candidates include bats, skunks, raccoons, foxes, and abnormally behaving dogs--follow with a 5-minute soak in rubbing alcohol. The alcohol, although it will burn the wound, can kill the rabies virus.(14)

Seek medical help for any animal bite that breaks the skin. And remember, human bite wounds are more likely than others to become infected.

POISONING

Ingestion, and sometimes inhalation, of toxins constitutes an emergency. Your toddler may not be able to tell you what or how much he took. If you think he ate or inhaled something that could be poisonous, do not wait for symptoms to develop. Do not immediately try to neutralize the poison or induce vomiting, as some substances can cause further damage on their way back up. Instead, call your local Poison Control Center, EMS, or hospital for advice.

If you are advised to induce vomiting, give your child syrup of ipecac. The recommended dose is 2 teaspoons for infants under one year of age, 1 tablespoon for children from one to six years of age, and 2 tablespoons for children over six. Follow with a glass of water. If your child does not vomit within 20 minutes, repeat the dose. If you do not have ipecac handy, try giving 2 tablespoons of a liquid dishwashing detergent such as Ivory, Joy, or Palmolive.(15) Then head for the hospital, bringing along a basin for your child to vomit into.

The next best thing to being prepared for accidents is preventing them in the first place. Create an environment safe for exploring, then supervise without hovering. If you tread so closely on your child's heels that he or she never has an injury, neither of you is truly living.

HOME REMEDIES

By Linda B. White

Following is a variety of plant-based balms to keep in stock, as well as fresh plants to reach for if you are out in nature when a mishap occurs.

Aloe vera is a wonderful plant to have on hand for bug bites and stings and minor burns, including sunburns. Remove a leaf, slice it lengthwise, and apply the interior gel to the skin. Or use a commercial preparation of pure aloe vera gel. Another remedy for burns is topical apple cider and honey.

Arnica helps heal bruises, strains, and sprains. For use externally as a compress, apply a clean cloth or gauze soaked with a solution of 1 tablespoon of arnica tincture to 1 pint of water. Arnica creams and ointments are also available, often in combination with calendula and St. John's wort, to soothe musculoskeletal injuries. Homeopathic Arnica can be given internally for trauma.

Calendula, commonly known as marigold, is anti-inflammatory, astringent, antiseptic, and cooling. It also inhibits bleeding. A salve made from the dried leaves and flowers, a tincture, or the juice of fresh flowers can be applied topically to wounds, minor burns, bruises, strained muscles, and sprains.

Comfrey contains allantoin, a substance that speeds healing and is particularly helpful for broken bones. The leaves and roots can be used as a poultice, compress, or ointment. (Note: comfrey has been linked with liver disease, so do not administer this herb internally.)

Vitamin E can be used topically to improve tissue healing and decrease scarring after a wound has closed. Applied to an open wound, it may interfere with scab formation.

Echinacea, used topically as a compress or in a salve, can help ward off infection. It can also be given internally for infections and venomous bites.

Goldenseal root can be used topically as an antiseptic.

Lavender oil can be massaged into the skin to help relieve sore muscles, strains, and sprains. It can also help soothe sunburn and is relaxing as well.

Nettles, oatstraw, and horsetail, given internally as teas or tinctures, can help rebuild the body after musculoskeletal injury.(1)

Plantain leaves can be made into a poultice to halt bleeding and to ease the discomfort of insect bites and stings.

Rescue Remedy--a Bach Flower remedy that contains star of Bethlehem, rock rose, cherry plum, impatiens, and clematis--can be given internally to ease feelings of panic and stress following trauma.

Rubefacients--substances applied topically to stimulate circulation to musculoskeletal injuries--include ginger, cayenne, peppermint oil, rosemary oil, and wintergreen. Always mix essential oils with a carrier oil such as almond or grapeseed oil.

St. John's wort (Hypericum) has anti-inflammatory properties and can be used topically to reduce pain and speed the healing of wounds and minor burns. It can also be infused into oil to massage into sore muscles. Homeopathic Hypericum can be given internally after head injuries, tooth trauma, puncture wounds, and animal bites. Applied externally, in a tincture diluted with 10 parts water, it facilitates the healing of deep wounds.(2)

Styptics--substances that stanch bleeding--include cayenne (not to be used alone), horsetail, yarrow leaf or flower, bistort root, and wild geranium root. These can be powdered, blended, and applied directly to a wound.(3)

Tea tree oil is a good antiseptic, particularly helpful in treating or preventing fungal or bacterial skin infections. It can also be applied to insect bites.

Witch hazel is a fine topical treatment for bruises, bites, stings, and mild burns. A poultice can be made of the bark, twigs, or leaves, or a commercially available fluid extract can be applied. This herb is also useful for leg aches accompanying growing pains.

NOTES

(1.)Brigitte Mars, in a telephone interview (20 June 1994).

(2.)Dana Ullman, Homeopathic Medicine for Children (New York: Jeremy P. Tarcher/Perigree, 1992), p. 185.

(3.)Feather Jones, in a telephone interview (20 June 1994).

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Hoffman, David. The New Holistic Herbal. Shaftesbury, Dorset, England: Element, 1990.

Moore, Michael. Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West. Santa Fe, NM: Museum of New Mexico Press, 1979.

Rose, Jeanne. Herbal Body Book. New York: Grosset & Dunlap, 1976.

Rose, Jeanne. Herbs and Things. New York: Grosset & Dunlap, 1972.

HOME REMEDY RESOURCES

Boericke & Tafel 2381 Circadian Way Santa Rosa, CA 95407 707-571-8202

Sells homeopathic first aid kits as well as individual remedies, gels, and combination remedies. Available in many natural food stores.

Boiron USA PO Box 449, #6 Campus Boulevard, Building A Newtown Square, PA 19073 800-258-8823

Produces and distributes homeopathic kits for first aid, sports and trauma, and general home use.

Eclectic Institute 14385 Southeast Lusted Road Sandy, OR 97055 503-668-4120 800-332-4372

Manufactures and distributes herbal creams, gels, and liquid and freeze-dried extracts.

Herbs Etc. 1340 Rufina Circle Santa Fe, NM 87505 505-471-6488

Purveyor of an extensive line of liquid herbal extract products.

Herbs for Kids PO Box 837 Bozeman, MT 59771 406-587-0180

Sells a full line of liquid, alcoholfree herbal extracts for children.

Homeopathy Overnight 4111 Simon Road Youngstown, OH 44512 800-ARNICA 30 (ext. 110)

Sells homeopathic kits and remedies by next-day air delivery.

Motherlove Herbal Company 280 Stratton Park Bellvue, CO 80512 303-493-2892

Offers ethically wildcrafted orgaric herbs for pregnancy and birth, women and children.

Nature's Apothecary 6350 Gunpark Drive, Suite 500 Boulder, CO 80301 303-581-0288 800-999-7422

Distributes herbal salves, oils, sprays, and liquid extracts.

Nature's Way 10 Mountain Springs Parkway Springville, UT 84663 801-489-1640

Offers an extensive line of single herbs and combinations, available in most natural food stores and some pharmacies. Medicine from Nature, a division of Nature's Way, provides homeopathic formulas.

Standard Homeopathic Company 210 West 131st Street Los Angeles, CA 90061 213-321-4284 800-624-9659

Offers a Kids' Kit with seven remedies plus a booklet and a Household Kit with 29 remedies plus a booklet.

ToVA Naturals 421-13 Route 59 Monsey, NY 10952 800-290-6812

Offers a variety of quality herbs and herb products.

Turtle Island Herbs 4949 North Broadway, Suite 101A Boulder, CO 80304 303-442-2215

Offers an Herbal First Aid Survival Kit.

PAIN RELIEF

ALTHOUGH ASPIRIN IS INEXpensive and often effective, it is not always the drug of choice for pain relief. Indeed, many times it is not recommended. Dr. Gurley has found that children respond well to acetaminophen for orthopedic injuries, even though aspirin has stronger anti-inflammatory properties. Because aspirin interferes with blood clotting, do not administer it to a child with a bleeding or snakebite wound. Because aspirin is associated with Reye's syndrome, avoid giving it to a child who has an accompanying viral infection.

Several herbal pain relievers have been traditionally used. Meadowsweet contains salicylic acid, a natural aspirinlike substance effective in reducing swelling and pain associated with musculoskeletal injuries.(1) Chamomile eases pain and muscle cramps and also soothes the nerves. (Note: refrain from giving this herb to any child who is allergic to ragweed.(2)) Violet leaves, often referred to as "herbal baby aspirin," have mild analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.

NOTES

(1.)David Hoffman, The New Holistic Herbal (Shaftesbury, Dorset, England: Element, 1990), p. 85.

(2.)James F. Balch, MD, and Phyllis A. Balch, CNC, Prescription for Nutritional Healing (Garden City Park, NY: Avery, 1990), p. 50.

NOTES

(1.)John Squires, MD, in a telephone interview (13 June 1994). All subsequent citations refer to this interview.

(2.)Barton D. Schmitt, MD, Your Child's Health (New York: Bantam, 1987), p. 65.

(3.)Dennis Beck, MD, in a telephone interview (27 June 1994). All subsequent citations refer to this interview.

(4.)Doug Gurley, MD, in a telephone interview (23 June 1994). All subsequent citations refer to this interview.

(5.)Michael Bloss, DDS, in a telephone interview (17 June 1994).

(6.)Larry Underwood, MD, in a telephone interview (17 June 1994).

(7.)See Note 2, p. 58.

(8.)Mary Kohn, MD, in a telephone interview (20 June 1994). All subsequent citations refer to this interview.

(9.)Julian Scott, PhD, Natural Medicine for Children (New York: Avon, 1990), p. 180.

(10.)Jeanne Rose, Jeanne Rose's Modern Herbal (New York: Perigee, 1987), p. 29.

(11.)Dana Ullman, Homeopathic Medicine for Children (New York: Jeremy P. Tarcher/Perigee, 1992), p. 52.

(12.)See Note 2, p. 365.

(13.)Roger M. Barkin, MD, Emergency Pediatrics (St. Louis, MO: C. V. Mosby, 1990), p. 254.

(14.)See Note 2, pp. 13--14.

(15.)See Note 2, p. 44.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Fuentes, Robert, MD, and Carl Lowe. The Family First Aid Guide. New York: Berkley Books, 1994.

Handal, Kathleen A. The American Red Cross First Aid & Safety Handbook. New York: Little, Brown, 1992.

COPYRIGHT 1995 Mothering Magazine
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group