Archive for December, 2022

🧊 ICE ON HEAD BUMPS YES or NO??? 🤯🤯

Here we go again! So many people again saying to me “on my last course they said not to use ice as swelling is good and Ice causes brain damage” 🤔🤦‍♀️This statement is wrong.

❗️CREDIBILITY❗️
As trainers we follow UK Resus Council Guidelines, NICE Guidelines, as well as guidance from NHS and other members of https://firstaidqualitypartnership.org.uk/ Such as St Johns Ambulance, Red Cross ect.

They set the clinical standards that we as companies deliver through our Awarding organisations. You will see below ALL advise the use of wrapped ICE for Sprains and Strains and HEAD BUMPS 🤕and Minor Head Injury’s!

Other Head injury’s include, skull Fractures, cerebral compressions and concussion. These injury’s would always be dealt with at hospitals by medical professionals. These types of injury can take over 24 hours to show, hence head bump/injury forms should always be issued explaining the symptoms of of such injury.

❗️THE HEAD🤕
Most often, goose eggs and other head bumps aren’t a major cause for concern. But it’s important to know when to reach for an ice pack so we wont hopefully end up needing Emergency care.

“Goose egg bumps” can be especially prominent in young children, based on the simple fact that they have less space on their heads for blood to collect.

❗️SO THE SCIENCE……. 🧬 Why ice 🧊
Core and brain temperature are naturally elevated after exertion or injury and normalizing that temperature is an important aspect of recovery. External cooling applied to the head and neck can be effective at lowering brain temperature by small amounts and these reductions in temperature may have a positive impact on healing.

The forehead and scalp have an abundant blood supply, and injury to these areas often results in bleeding under the skin. When the bleeding is in just one area, it causes bruising and swelling (Hematoma) potentially causing pressure on the brain if not treated.

🧊When you injure a body part, your body goes through the inflammatory process.
Hallmarks of inflammation include:

* Increased tissue temperature
* Redness
* Pain
* Swelling

🧊Inflammation happens when your body sends more blood and cells to the injured part to help it heal but also potentially causing more pressure, Swelling and pain happen as a result of this process. Ice can help control those symptoms.

🧊Ice causes vasoconstriction. This is a narrowing of blood vessels. When this happens, less blood reaches the injured area. This helps keep swelling down thus stopping pressure internally also. Ice also helps decrease pain signals.

🧊Ice should only be used for a maximum of 20 minutes I teach the 2 on 2 (minutes) off method so not to hold in place the whole time. Always make sure you wrap your ice, as ice directly on the skin can cause issues such as burns.

❗️SOURCEs as always…..
Below is the NHS, St John’s and other FAQPS members guidance on the use of ICE for treating minor head bumps and injury’s.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/minor-head-injury/

https://www.sja.org.uk/get-advice/first-aid-advice/head-injuries/adult-head-injury/

https://www.redcross.org.uk/first-aid/learn-first-aid-for-babies-and-children/head-injury

Strep Throat Warning. With the extremely sad passing of 6 children under the age of 10 already this winter season I thought I would do a short info post called Strep Throat Warning.

Please everyone keep a eye on your children, Strep Throat is an infection caused by a bacterium known as Streptococcus pyogenes, also called group A streptococcus.

Strep throat can occur at any age, even during infancy. However, strep throat is most common in school-age children The bacteria usually cause a mild infection producing sore throats or scarlet fever that can be easily treated with antibiotics In very rare circumstances, this bacteria can get into the bloodstream and cause serious illness called invasive group A strep (iGAS) this is still uncommon. However, it is important that parents are on the lookout for symptoms and see a doctor as quickly as possible so that their child can be treated and can stop the infection becoming serious.

Children who develop strep throat may have signs and symptoms including:

Irritability

Fever

Refusal to eat or feed

Swollen glands in the neck

Red and swollen tonsils, sometimes with white patches or streaks of pus

Headache

Stomachache

Nausea or vomiti

A fine, red rash on the torso, arms and legs

Early intervention is key and as parent, if you feel that your child seems seriously unwell, you should trust your own judgement. Contact NHS 111 or your GP if:

your child is getting worse

your child is feeding or eating much less than normal

your child has had a dry nappy for 12 hours or more or shows other signs of dehydration

your baby is under 3 months and has a temperature of 38°C, or is older than 3 months and has a temperature of 39°C or higher

your baby feels hotter than usual when you touch their back or chest, or feels sweaty

your child is very tired or irritable

Streptococcal bacteria are contagious. They can spread through droplets when someone with the infection coughs or sneezes, or through shared food or drinks. You can also pick up the bacteria from a doorknob or other surface and transfer them to your nose, mouth or eyes. Keep hand washing guys!