Superficial Injuries of the Face and Head:
Overview
During a child's day, minor injuries
may happen during play and sports activities. The face and head are especially at
risk for
cuts and scrapes because:
-
Children have much larger heads
in comparison to the rest of their bodies than adults do. This creates a larger
"target" when falls happen.
-
Children's center of balance is
not completely adjusted yet due to their rapid growth and "bowed" position of the
spine.
-
Children's feet are often
"toed-in." This causes them to trip and fall when walking and running.
-
Children like to move fast and
often run rather than walk. This happens even before they are able to run
confidently.
-
Children don't think about
consequences for their actions. They may act impulsively and create unsafe
conditions. These include running with a pencil in their mouth or scissors in their
hands.
Regardless of how careful you are in
your home, or how many precautions you take, when your child is outdoors playing,
superficial injuries to the face and head do happen.
By remaining calm and knowing some
basic first-aid techniques, you can help your child overcome both the fear and the
trauma
of superficial injuries to the face and head.