Question
A five-and-a-half-year-old child fell and injured their head while biking. After applying oil, the wound slightly reduced in size, but by afternoon, they had a fever of 38.4 degrees. Is emergency treatment needed?
Answer
When a child injures their head, it’s important to first assess the depth of the wound. If the wound is deep, it may require tetanus antitoxin treatment. Additionally, it’s recommended to go to the hospital for wound cleaning. Applying oil is a traditional method, but it’s advised to primarily rely on professional medical treatment and be aware of other conditions such as wound infection or shock. It’s suggested to go to the hospital for a detailed examination and wound debridement as soon as possible. Oral fever-reducing medication such as Tylenol syrup or other fever-reducing drugs can be given to the child, and use warm water to wipe down areas such as the neck, armpits, groin, and thigh roots to lower body temperature. Encourage the child to drink plenty of water.