Most kids can't seem to get through the day without a bruise, a scraped knee, or a bug bite of some sort. Here, some simple home remedies for the most common outdoor complaints

Sources: Howard Spivak, M.D., chief of general pediatric and adolescent medicine at New England Medical Center, in Boston; William Boyle, M.D., pediatrician at Children's Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center; Varro Tyler, Ph.D., professor emeritus of pharmacognosy at Purdue University; the American Academy of Pediatrics; the American College of Emergency Physicians.

Bumps, Bangs, Ouches

Cuts and Scrapes

How to treat them: If the injury barely breaks the skin, wash the area with soap and water, pat it dry, and apply an antibiotic ointment (such as Bacitracin or Neosporin) to prevent infection. Cover with a clean bandage, and change the dressing every day. You can skip the iodine -- an antiseptic solution will only worsen the pain and do little to speed healing.

For deeper wounds, apply direct pressure with sterile gauze or a clean cloth. Elevating the injured limb above the heart will help control bleeding. Once bleeding stops, gently rinse the area with water. Never clean deep gashes and cuts with soap or apply an antiseptic: Either can damage healthy tissue.

Call the doctor: If the cut is more than 1/8-inch deep, gaping open, or on the face, neck, hand, or head; if bleeding doesn't stop after five minutes; if you notice signs of infection (redness, pus, swelling, fever) later; or if your child isn't up to date on his tetanus shots (given at 2, 4, and 6 months; 15 to 18 months; and 4 to 6 years).

Bruise

How to treat it: Apply an ice pack, wrapped in a soft dishcloth, to the sore area for about 20 minutes to reduce pain and swelling. Arnica cream or gel (available at health-foods stores) may help heal a bruise, but it's toxic if ingested and should be used only on older children who won't lick it off.

Call the doctor: If your child bruises his head and vomits, feels dizzy, complains of a headache, or loses consciousness. Call right away if your child can't move the injured body part.

Sprain

How to treat it: Rub on a methyl salicylate cream (such as Ben Gay) to reduce swelling; then wrap a towel around a bag of ice and leave it on the sore joint for 20-minute periods.

Wrapping the limb in an Ace bandage and keeping it elevated will also help.

Call the doctor: To rule out the possibility of a fracture -- your child will most likely need x-rays.

Splinter

How to treat it: Soak the area in warm water, and pull out the splinter with sterilized tweezers. If the splinter is still embedded, numb the area with ice, then dislodge it with a sterilized needle. Wash the wound with soapy water, and apply an antibiotic cream.

Call the doctor: If the area looks infected; if your child isn't current on his tetanus shots.

Tip: To sterilize needles and tweezers -- soak them in rubbing alcohol or boiling water for 5 to 10 minutes. You can also hold a lit match to the tips, but be sure to wipe off the carbon.

Itches, Scratches

Bug Bites and Stings

How to treat them: Scrape away the stinger with your fingernail or a credit card -- using tweezers may squeeze more toxins into the skin. If your child can't stop scratching, give her a cough or cold medication that contains an antihistamine, and apply a paste of baking soda and water to the sore area two to three times a day (for a bee sting, rub on a little ammonia diluted with water instead). Ibuprofen can help reduce swelling.

Call the doctor: Immediately, if your child has a severe allergic reaction (difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness); if pain and swelling persist for more than 72 hours.

Jellyfish Sting

How to treat it: Pluck off any stingers that you're able to see, then wash the entire area with saltwater.

Call the doctor: If your child is stung on the face or neck; develops a rash that spreads; has difficulty breathing or is in severe pain.

Plant Rash (From Poison Oak, Ivy, or Sumac)

How to treat it: Apply calamine lotion several times a day (avoid formulas that contain antihistamines or anesthetics, since they can make itching worse), or dab on a 1 percent hydrocortisone cream or a paste of baking soda mixed with water.

Call the doctor: If the rash is on the face or extensively covers the body, is infected (blisters, oozes pus), or is accompanied by a fever; cortisone injections may be necessary to reduce inflammation. Otherwise, an oral antihistamine (such as Benadryl or Chlortrimeton) will most likely be recommended to control severe itching.

Swimmer's Itch

How to treat it: The best way to soothe these red, itchy patches (which are caused by bacteria and parasites in freshwater ponds and lakes) is to spread on a thick layer of calamine lotion several times a day.

Call the doctor: If the rash looks as though it's infected (if there's pus, increased pain, or redness); or if your child runs a fever.

Sunburn

How to treat it:Apply a cool compress (an easy one: a small carton of cold milk or juice) for fast relief, or have her soak in a tepid bath with 1/4 cup each of baking soda and cornstarch. If you have an aloe-vera plant (over-the-counter aloe-vera gel is fine too), squeeze a small amount of the leaf's gel on your finger, and spread it gently over her sunburned skin.

Call the doctor: If you see blisters; it may be a second- or third-degree burn needing immediate medical attention to prevent infection.

Overheating

How to treat it: Encourage young children to drink plenty of fluids during warm weather, since they are especially at risk for dehydration. (Symptoms include dry mouth, sunken eyes, scant urine.) If a child suddenly complains that he feels weak, nauseated, or dizzy, or if a baby's skin looks pale and feels cool and moist, quickly get him into the shade. He may be suffering from heat exhaustion, which should pass once he rests in a cool area and sips some water, fruit juice, or decaffeinated soda. (Infants and toddlers may be given a commercial rehydrating solution, such as Pedialyte or Rehydralyte.)

Also watch for hot, dry skin accompanied by a rapid pulse, shallow breathing, or loss of consciousness: These could indicate heat stroke, a potentially life-threatening illness. Dial 911 immediately for help.

CLOSE PRINT

Summer First Aid By Dana Sullivan, Parenting Most kids can't seem to get through the day without a bruise, a scraped knee, or a bug bite of some sort. Here, some simple home remedies for the most common outdoor complaints Sources: Howard Spivak, M.D., chief of general pediatric and adolescent medicine at New England Medical Center, in Boston; William Boyle, M.D., pediatrician at Children's Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center; Varro Tyler, Ph.D., professor emeritus of pharmacognosy at Purdue University; the American Academy of Pediatrics; the American College of Emergency Physicians. Bumps, Bangs, Ouches Cuts and Scrapes How to treat them: If the injury barely breaks the skin, wash the area with soap and water, pat it dry, and apply an antibiotic ointment (such as Bacitracin or Neosporin) to prevent infection. Cover with a clean bandage, and change the dressing every day. You can skip the iodine -- an antiseptic solution will only worsen the pain and do little to speed healing. For deeper wounds, apply direct pressure with sterile gauze or a clean cloth. Elevating the injured limb above the heart will help control bleeding. Once bleeding stops, gently rinse the area with water. Never clean deep gashes and cuts with soap or apply an antiseptic: Either can damage healthy tissue. Call the doctor: If the cut is more than 1/8-inch deep, gaping open, or on the face, neck, hand, or head; if bleeding doesn't stop after five minutes; if you notice signs of infection (redness, pus, swelling, fever) later; or if your child isn't up to date on his tetanus shots (given at 2, 4, and 6 months; 15 to 18 months; and 4 to 6 years). Bruise How to treat it: Apply an ice pack, wrapped in a soft dishcloth, to the sore area for about 20 minutes to reduce pain and swelling. Arnica cream or gel (available at health-foods stores) may help heal a bruise, but it's toxic if ingested and should be used only on older children who won't lick it off. Call the doctor: If your child bruises his head and vomits, feels dizzy, complains of a headache, or loses consciousness. Call right away if your child can't move the injured body part. Sprain How to treat it: Rub on a methyl salicylate cream (such as Ben Gay) to reduce swelling; then wrap a towel around a bag of ice and leave it on the sore joint for 20-minute periods. Wrapping the limb in an Ace bandage and keeping it elevated will also help. Call the doctor: To rule out the possibility of a fracture -- your child will most likely need x-rays. Splinter How to treat it: Soak the area in warm water, and pull out the splinter with sterilized tweezers. If the splinter is still embedded, numb the area with ice, then dislodge it with a sterilized needle. Wash the wound with soapy water, and apply an antibiotic cream. Call the doctor: If the area looks infected; if your child isn't current on his tetanus shots. Tip: To sterilize needles and tweezers -- soak them in rubbing alcohol or boiling water for 5 to 10 minutes. You can also hold a lit match to the tips, but be sure to wipe off the carbon. Itches, Scratches Bug Bites and Stings How to treat them: Scrape away the stinger with your fingernail or a credit card -- using tweezers may squeeze more toxins into the skin. If your child can't stop scratching, give her a cough or cold medication that contains an antihistamine, and apply a paste of baking soda and water to the sore area two to three times a day (for a bee sting, rub on a little ammonia diluted with water instead). Ibuprofen can help reduce swelling. Call the doctor: Immediately, if your child has a severe allergic reaction (difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness); if pain and swelling persist for more than 72 hours. Jellyfish Sting How to treat it: Pluck off any stingers that you're able to see, then wash the entire area with saltwater. Call the doctor: If your child is stung on the face or neck; develops a rash that spreads; has difficulty breathing or is in severe pain. Plant Rash (From Poison Oak, Ivy, or Sumac) How to treat it: Apply calamine lotion several times a day (avoid formulas that contain antihistamines or anesthetics, since they can make itching worse), or dab on a 1 percent hydrocortisone cream or a paste of baking soda mixed with water. Call the doctor: If the rash is on the face or extensively covers the body, is infected (blisters, oozes pus), or is accompanied by a fever; cortisone injections may be necessary to reduce inflammation. Otherwise, an oral antihistamine (such as Benadryl or Chlortrimeton) will most likely be recommended to control severe itching. Swimmer's Itch How to treat it: The best way to soothe these red, itchy patches (which are caused by bacteria and parasites in freshwater ponds and lakes) is to spread on a thick layer of calamine lotion several times a day. Call the doctor: If the rash looks as though it's infected (if there's pus, increased pain, or redness); or if your child runs a fever. Sunburn How to treat it:Apply a cool compress (an easy one: a small carton of cold milk or juice) for fast relief, or have her soak in a tepid bath with 1/4 cup each of baking soda and cornstarch. If you have an aloe-vera plant (over-the-counter aloe-vera gel is fine too), squeeze a small amount of the leaf's gel on your finger, and spread it gently over her sunburned skin. Call the doctor: If you see blisters; it may be a second- or third-degree burn needing immediate medical attention to prevent infection. Overheating How to treat it: Encourage young children to drink plenty of fluids during warm weather, since they are especially at risk for dehydration. (Symptoms include dry mouth, sunken eyes, scant urine.) If a child suddenly complains that he feels weak, nauseated, or dizzy, or if a baby's skin looks pale and feels cool and moist, quickly get him into the shade. He may be suffering from heat exhaustion, which should pass once he rests in a cool area and sips some water, fruit juice, or decaffeinated soda. (Infants and toddlers may be given a commercial rehydrating solution, such as Pedialyte or Rehydralyte.) Also watch for hot, dry skin accompanied by a rapid pulse, shallow breathing, or loss of consciousness: These could indicate heat stroke, a potentially life-threatening illness. Dial 911 immediately for help.