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Major Epilepsy
Major epilepsy can be very disturbing for the child and the person dealing with the seizure.
Some seizures can be very violent, a child could seriously hurt themselves or others.
The most important thing as a first aider is, Don't get hurt, your job is to provide first aid for the child once the seizure has stopped.
Recognition of Major Epileptic Seizures
There is no doubt, you will know when a child is having a major seizure, like the Minor Absents the child may have a warning period, in many case they may not:
- Strange sensations
- Feeling confused
- Tastes in there mouths
- Feeling sick/dizzy
You may also see physical reactions or hear a loud cry:
- Violent shaking
- Rolling of eyes
- Pale face
- Blue lips
- Foaming at the mouth
- Blood from the mouth due to biting tongue
important
Where a child is in danger of serious injury you may have to move the child. For example in the middle of a busy road or they have fallen into glass, in some case drag them out of the danger.
What happens if they fall into water.
If you can stand up in the water then get in an drag them out. If the water is deep then find a floating ring/bouy, and use it to keep the child and yourself afloat.
You need to be a good swimmer, if your not scream for Help, DON'T JUMP IN
How to manage major seizures
Important!
Really Important!
Imagine your 8 years old and your friends are
watching you having a seizure and while you have that seizure you wet yourself and lose bowel control.
Protect the child not only from injury
Protect Dignity
Treatment for major seizure
- Ensure safety first
- Leave the child to have the seizure
- Do not restrain them
- Do not put anything in their mouth.
- When possible protect the head, something soft underneath or at the sides
- Record information
The most important point is to maintain the airways, vomit. blood, saliva and the tongue can obstruct airways and some children may go unconscious after their seizure.
Check for further injuries and place the child into the recovery position.
Important!
You must call 999/112 if its the child's
- First seizure
- They are badly injured
- Multiple seizures i.e. one after another
- Medication has no effect
Schools, Nursery staff and child carer's should have a extended care plan. Controlling Epilepsy in children can be difficult as the child's brain continues to develop. Ensure care plans are reviewed especially when medications have changed.
Febrile Convulsion
Febrile Convulsions
A febrile seizure is a convulsion that occurs in some children with a high temperature (fever). The vast majority of febrile seizures are not serious. Most occur with common illnesses such as ear infections and colds. Full recovery with no permanent damage is usual. The main treatment is aimed at the illness that caused the fever.
What causes a febrile seizure and who has them?
A febrile seizure is sometimes called a febrile convulsion. Any illness that causes a high temperature (fever) can cause a febrile seizure. Most occur with common illnesses such as ear infections, coughs, colds, flu and other viral infections. Serious infections such as pneumonia, kidney infections, meningitis, etc are much less common causes.
About 5 in 100 children have a febrile seizure sometime before their 6th birthday
Recognition of Febrile Convulsion's
The first indicator is that the child is unwell, pre shakes may also occur look at the child's hand, are they shaking, is the child hot and flushed, look out for:
- Loss of consciousness
- Stiffening of the body
- Back arching
- Legs and arms jerking
- Eyes rolling
- Skin may turn pale,lips blue
Important!
Paracetamol based medications are great at reducing a child temperature, however they tend to mask the underlying problem.
Temperature Control
Temperature Control
Temperature Control
What is the normal temperature of a child?
36.5 degrees celsius is the answer a young child will develop signs and symptoms as the temperature increases.
Prevention is a key part of preventing the Febrile Convulsion.
Ensure you have a thermometer a oral one works best mouth or ear as they read the child's core body temperature
Ferbrile Prevention
Temperature Control
Temperature Control
1. Check the child's temperature, it is high?
2. Take off some clothing, socks, jumper
3. Fresh air, open window
4. Give small sips of a cool drink
5. Check temperature
Should the temperature drop, then you have done this naturally, keep an eye on temperature every 2-5 minutes, should it start to rise this might indicate under laying illnes
First Aid
Temperature Control
First Aid
1. Lay child on a mat on the floor, its cooler
2. Move object which they could injure themselves on.
3. Start taking clothing off
4. Open doors and windows
5. Do not restrain
6. Do not hug them
7. Do not put your finger in their mouth
8. Try to time the convulsion
Once the convulsion is over, check the airways are clear, check for injuries and
1. Lay child on a mat on the floor, its cooler
2. Move object which they could injure themselves on.
3. Start taking clothing off
4. Open doors and windows
5. Do not restrain
6. Do not hug them
7. Do not put your finger in their mouth
8. Try to time the convulsion
Once the convulsion is over, check the airways are clear, check for injuries and place the child in the recovery position. Monitor airways and breathing.
Call 999/112 for a Ambulance