Distract your child with games, books or favourite television shows.Icepacks or heat treatments can reduce pain.If a child is teething, simple measures such as gently massaging the gum with a clean finger or giving them a teething ring to chew may help to relieve discomfort.Allow your child some control over the situation – for example, older children could decide whether to take their pain medication as a syrup or tablets and ask what flavour of syrup they prefer.Reassure them that their pain will be managed and that the treatment (such as an injection) will be less painful than the pain itself.Fear and anxiety are known to increase perception of pain. Tell them what is happening using words they can understand.Show the child that you are taking their pain seriously.Non-medicine techniques fall into 3 categories including environmental (such as a calm atmosphere), physical (such as hugging) and distraction techniques. Many non-medicine treatments can be used to relieve a child’s pain. No one knows your child better than you do. The doctor can check for physical signs of pain such as heart rate, blood pressure and blood oxygen levels. Ask a child (7 years or older) to rate their pain on a scale of 0 to 10 with 0 being ‘no pain’ and 10 being the worst pain.If they are old enough, they may be able to use words or drawings to communicate the severity of the pain. They may be quieter than usual or more irritable, stop playing, lose their appetite, be listless or regress to behaviours they have outgrown such as thumb sucking. They may be flushed and sweaty, or look pale and tired. They may cry, moan and groan, grimace, writhe, cradle the sore body part or protect it from accidental bumps. See how the child responds to the pain.Measuring a child’s pain level can be tricky, particularly in babies and very young children who have no direct way to communicate. In more serious cases (such as pain from a broken bone), a doctor may need to prescribe stronger medicines. These are often used in combination with non-medicine strategies. If a pain medicine is needed, always read the label and follow dosage instructions exactly.įor mild pain, such as pain from a new tooth, over-the-counter children’s paracetamol or ibuprofen may be helpful. Many other treatments are available that can help relieve a child’s pain. It may not be necessary to give your child a pain medicine. If you think your child is in pain, always see your GP for diagnosis and treatment.
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