Treating children's cuts, wounds on hike

Image courtesy of africa / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Avoid cuts and wounds by following the same principles of safety to avoid falls. In addition, don’t go off trail through vegetation or climbing on rocks.

To treat a cut or wound, with an antiseptic clean the opening of sand, dirt, gravel and other debris. A cotton swab works well. To irrigate deeper cuts or wounds, a disposable syringe can be used. After drying it, apply an antibiotic ointment and then an adhesive bandage. If a wound, don’t use an adhesive bandage but cover it in gauze dressing and get medical attention immediately.

Never apply insect repellent to cuts or wounds (or to irritated skin, for that matter).

Related articles:
g How to prevent and treat hypothermia in children
g Avoiding and treating child dehydration on the trail
g How to avoid and treat nosebleeds
g How to avoid and treat hiking kids' muscle cramps

Read more about day hiking with children in my guidebook Hikes with Tykes.

How to avoid ticks, handle their bites

Photo courtesy of
Wisconsin DNR.

Ticks can infect people with Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

They usually leap onto people from the top of a grass blade as you brush against it, so walking in the middle of the trail away from high plants is a good idea. Wearing a hat, a long sleeve shirt tucked into pants, and pants tucked into shoes or socks, also will keep ticks off you, though this is not foolproof as they sometimes can hook onto clothing. A tightly woven cloth provides the best protection, however. Children can pick up a tick that has hitch-hiked onto the family dog, so outfit Rover and Queenie with a tick-repelling collar.

If heading into an area where ticks live, after the hike you’ll want to examine your body and those of your children for them. Check warm, moist areas of the skin, such as under the arms, the groin and head hair. If they wear light-colored clothing, the tiny tick will be easier to spot.

Also check for signs of disease from ticks. Look for bulls-eye rings, a sign of Lyme disease. Other symptoms include a large red rash, joint pain, and flu-like symptoms. Indications of Rocky Mountain spotted fever include headache, fever, severe muscle aches, and a spotty rash first on palms and feet soles that spread, all beginning about two days after the bite.

To get rid of a tick that has bitten you or another in your hiking party, drip either disinfectant or rubbing alcohol on the bug, so it will loosen its grip. Grip the tick close to its head, slowly pulling it away from the skin. This hopefully will prevent it from releasing saliva that spreads disease. Rather than kill the tick, keep it in a plastic bag so that medical professionals can analyze it should disease symptoms appear. Next, wash the bite area with soap and water then apply antiseptic.

If any of the previously mentioned symptoms appear, seek medical attention immediately. Fortunately, antibiotics exist to cure most tick-related diseases.

Read more about day hiking with children in my guidebook Hikes with Tykes.

Treating children for trail's thorns, burrs

Photo courtesy of Illinois DNR

Thorns and burrs typically are more an annoyance than anything, but with a child the nuisance can be enough to put an end to the hike. If left untreated, infections also can result.

The plants can be avoided by walking down the center of the trail.

Use tweezers to pull out thorns. Then swab the site with an antiseptic such as iodine.

Cockleburs, nature's original version of Velcro, simply need to be pulled them off. Be aware that they can prick you as you're doing that, so you may want to wear thick gloves.

Read more about day hiking with children in the guidebook Hikes with Tykes.