Ouch! Emergency Care for Facial Trauma in Kids
Summer is the season of active fun
for kids of all ages. Whether they’re at sleep-away camp or just playing in the
back yard, there’s always the chance that children will suffer facial injuries
due to falls – or that random wild throw of a baseball, football or other piece
of sports equipment.
As a seasoned oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Dr. Geldzahler has provided expert
care for hundreds of active kids in the West Orange and Livingston area who
have shattered bones in the facial area. Here’s Dr. Geldzahler’s step-by-step
guide of what to do if this happens to your kids this season.
What is a facial fracture?
This happens when your child breaks
one or more facial bones. These include cheekbones and the bones around the
eyes, nose and mouth. Trauma of this kind may also damage nearby
tissue, including the eyes, nose, mouth, nerves, or blood vessels.
Common causes of facial fractures
include:
- Slips and falls
- Sports injuries
- Bike or car accidents
- Horseback riding
- Climbing accidents
When to seek immediate help for facial trauma Surgery
Signs and symptoms of a facial
fracture will vary. Your child may have any of the following:
- Pain and swelling in the facial area
- Bruising on the face or around the eyes
- Tingling or numbness
- Misshapen face
- Headache
- Vision problems, such as double vision or decreased eye movement
Dr. Geldzahler will likely recommend an x-ray, CT
scan or MRI of your child’s face and head. A special dye may be used to help
health care professionals see the area better. Be sure to tell the doctors caring
for your child if he or she has an allergy to contrast dye. Read More…


 
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