Health Tips For Children Outdoors

Dr. Barbara Kennedy, a pediatrician, NOLS graduate, member of the Wilderness Medical Society, mother of four, and author of Adventure Medical Kits’ A Medical Guide to Traveling With Children , offers the following tips to consider regarding child-specific needs in the outdoors:

• Standard first aid kits carried by families must be adapted to meet infants’ and children’s special needs. Actual items carried will vary depending on the ages of the children, preexisting medical conditions, length of travel, specific environment traveled in, and the first aid knowledge of the parents.
• Infants can develop infections and become hypothermic, hyperthermic, and dehydrated more rapidly than adults or older children. Carry a digital thermometer and the appropriate lubricant for monitoring rectal temperatures. Temperatures 100 degrees F and over require immediate medical attention in a child younger than four months of age. A bulb syringe is also useful because not only because it can be used to suction mucus from the throat and nasal passages of infants, but also because it may be used to flush foreign bodies from ears and administer enemas.
• Blisters bother all ages. Feet should receive attention the minute friction or irritation is noticed. Always leave blisters intact unless infection is suspected. A fluid, gel-laminate (Spenco 2nd Skin) and an adhesive pad is very effective in prevention and treatment of blisters.
• Most children under five cannot swallow pills. Chewable medications are preferred. If chewable is not available, liquid will work, but they add excess weight and can leak. Most children can chew tablets once their first molars are present–usually around fifteen months. For children who cannot chew, chewable medications may be crushed between two spoons and mixed in with food.
• Reduction of weight and bulk is a primary concern in any first aid kit. One way to do that is to select medications and items that have multiple uses. For example. Desitin, best known for helping to prevent diaper rash is also an excellent sun block as it contains 40-percent zinc oxide.