Top 5 summer injuries for kids

1. Goose eggs and head bumps

A knock to the head is usually nothing to worry about if your child is alert, responds to you and promptly gets back to the business of being a kid. But anything more than a light bump should be checked out, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. If your child has no symptoms or symptoms are minor, such as a mild headache, visit your nearby Indigo or book a convenient virtual care appointment.

When should I seek care for a bump on the head?

In some cases, a head injury could be serious and result in a concussion. In rare cases, a blow can be serious enough to cause bleeding or swelling of the brain. You should head to your nearest emergency room if your child takes a hit to the head that causes:

• Unconsciousness, confusion or disorientation. 
• Persistent or worsening headache.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Vision problems, such as blurry vision or pupils of unequal size.
• Slurred speech.
• Persistent ringing in the ears of loss of hearing.
• Mood changes, such as irritability.
• Trouble with balance.
• Extreme drowsiness or difficulty waking up.
• Seizures.
  

Learn more about goose eggs and head bumps.

 
2. Swimmers ear

While rare, severe infection can spread to nearby tissue, the skull, brain or cranial nerves.

Fortunately, Indigo is here when ear pain puts a damper on your child’s summer fun. 

An Indigo clinician will evaluate your child’s symptoms and use an otoscope to examine inside their ear to help make a diagnosis. And they’ll prescribe ear drops or antibiotics if needed and provide other treatment to manage uncomfortable symptoms. 

Home treatment may also help ease the pain and pressure of swimmer’s ear – but only after your kiddo is seen by a clinician first. Some remedies include:

• Application of a warm washcloth or heating pad set on low.
• Over-the-counter pain relievers, including acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Aleve).
• Sleeping upright encourages fluid to drain from the ear. 
  

How can I prevent swimmer's ear?

There’s no need to sideline your child from water activities, but there are ways to keep ears dry and prevent infection. Have your child:

• Wear clean earplugs when they swim or spend time in the water.
• Wear a shower cap when they shower.
• Put cotton balls in their ears when washing hair.
• Use a dry towel to dry ears after bathing, swimming or being in the water.
• Avoid swimming in areas with high bacterial counts.
  
  
  

3. Sprains and strains 

When should I get it checked out?

If your child sustains a minor sprain or strain, it’s important to have them checked out as soon as possible. Indigo Virtual Care makes it easy to get care when and where you need it – all from your smartphone or favorite device. 

Within minutes, an Indigo clinician will assess your child’s injury and offer guidance on how to relieve their discomfort. And if they suspect something more serious is afoot, you’ll be referred to a nearby Indigo clinic for a digital X-ray – and crutches if your kiddo needs them.

Indigo Virtual Care is available 8 am to 8 pm, every day. 

There are times when a sprain or strain warrants emergency treatment. Be sure to visit your nearest ER if:

• There’s a popping sound or the joint can’t be used
• The area is hot, swollen, and comes with fever
• Pain doesn’t improve after a few days
• The injury appears severe

4. Cuts and scrapes

When your child suffers a cut or laceration, it can be scary for both of you. And it’s not always easy to know if a bandage and Mom’s or Dad’s TLC will do the trick, or if the wound needs medical treatment.

Fortunately, most cuts and scrapes can be treated at home. Health care clinicians recommend the following tips:

• Wash your hands with soap and water before tending to your child’s cut or abrasion.
• Apply direct pressure on the wound with clean gauze or a cloth. Stubborn small bleeds may require continuous pressure for up to 15 minutes.
• Elevate the affected limb above heart level to slow blood flow. 
• When the wound stops bleeding, wash the area with soap and water to prevent infection. 
• Apply a sterile bandage to protect the injury. It’s probably not necessary if the wound is clean and covered, but you can also apply an antiseptic lotion or cream, or petroleum jelly.
  

How can I tell if a cut is infected?

Sometimes, infection can set in before a scab can form over a scrape or cut. Signs of infection include:

• Fever
• Increased pain
• Swelling, redness and warmth around the wound
• Yellowish liquid (pus) oozing from the wound.

Indigo can clean and treat your child’s minor lacerations and scrapes, including cuts that may be infected or require stitches. 

More serious cuts may require emergency treatment. It’s a good idea to visit your nearest ER if:

• The cut is long or deep and may have severed a nerve.
• Bleeding is heavy or won’t stop.
• The cut or abrasion is on the eye or genitalia.
• Your child has numbness or tingling around the area of the injury.
• A foreign object is stuck in the wound.
  
  
  

5. Bee stings

Just like your kids, bees, wasps and yellow jackets are also very active once summer rolls around. While bee stings are common and can be scary and uncomfortable for kids, they usually aren’t cause for concern.

A normal reaction to a bee sting includes pain, redness and swelling around the site. Swelling may also extend beyond the sting site. Bee stings are also typically itch.

Avoiding bees is the best way to avoid a painful sting. Make sure your child knows how to identify and avoid nests.

If your child does get stung, there are steps you can take to ease their discomfort:

• Remove the stinger by scraping the back of a knife or other straight-edged object across the stinger. 
• Wash the site with soap and water.
• Place ice on the sting for 10 minutes on and then off for 10 minutes. Always wrap ice in a washcloth or other covering to protect skin.
• Apply a thick paste of baking soda and water to reduce itching and speed healing.
• Give your child an age-appropriate acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil).
• If approved by a health care clinician, give your child an over-the-counter antihistamine.

When should I worry about a bee sting?

In very rare cases, a bee sting may cause a severe allergic reaction. Anaphylaxis can occur within seconds or minutes of exposure to a bee sting and can cause the immune system to go into shock. Signs of an allergic reaction may include:

• Hives.
• Swelling of the face, throat or mouth.
• Wheezing or difficulty swallowing.
• Restlessness or anxiety.
• Rapid pulse.
• Dizziness or loss of consciousness.·  

Always seek emergency treatment if your child shows any of these symptoms because of a bee sting.

If your child does have an allergy, they should always have an epinephrine pen (EpiPen) nearby. Ask a healthcare clinician about a prescription. Antihistamines may also help, but always consult a medical professional before giving them to your child.

Indigo can ease the sting

If your child has a mild reaction to a bee sting or you’re unsure about how to remove a stinger or manage their uncomfortable symptoms, Indigo is here. 

Simply stop by one of our convenient neighborhood locations or book an appointment online. Or skip the trip to the clinic altogether. Indigo Virtual Care makes it easy to get the care your child needs, from wherever they are. And just like our convenient neighborhood locations, Indigo Virtual Care is available 8 am to 8 pm, every day.