Hemophilia is a hereditary condition that is developed during the gene formation, which has either been inherited from parents or during the formation of the embryo in the womb. This condition affects males more than females. However, a girl child suffering from this ailment has chances of passing it on to their next generation.

Getting cuts and wounds are usual for kids during their formative years. However, it becomes a matter of concern for parents whose kids suffer from hemophilia as this disease prevents the blood from forming clots as even a small cut causes a substantial amount of blood loss.

Tips to take care of a child with hemophilia

Be confident and do not panic
It is obvious for parents to be protective of your child, and more so when the child is suffering from hemophilia. But, you cannot afford to be overprotective as this will hamper the development of the child and might also disrupt their self-confidence. So, the first thing you need to do is enhance your confidence. You should prevent your children from playing games that may injure them severely; however, completely restricting from from doing so is not the answer. Get in touch with the treatment centers that can guide you on the types of games which are safe for your child. You can also meet social groups to help you with parenting techniques.

Don’t make your child too conscious of the disease if you want them to be a confident person.

Know how to treat external bleeding
Keep your first aid box handy and attend to the smallest wound immediately. While you shouldn’t panic, you shouldn’t be taking it casually either. The moment your child gets a cut, wash it with lukewarm water, and apply force on the wound with a sterile gauze or bandage, or bind it with a clean cloth. If the bleeding doesn’t stop, take him/her to the nearest doctor. Also, hold the injured area upwards as it slows down the flow of blood.

Know how to deal with internal bleeding
This type of bleeding is more harmful than external bleeding, as it is not visible. So, even if there is no blood on the outside, carry out a proper examination if your child complains about a fall. There is no specific method to learn about internal bleeding, except for some scans which can be carried out at hospitals. However, if your child experiences stomach ache, fatigue, or nausea, take them to the doctor immediately.

Teach your child healthy habits
A healthy diet and a disciplined life can help in dealing with hemophilia.

• Encourage your children to exercise to increase their muscle strength. Swimming is an excellent sport for children as it uses all the body parts and poses no risk of cuts.

• Introduce healthy foods in their diet and try to keep their weight under control, as it can exert pressure on body parts and increase the chances of bleeding. In addition to that, inculcate the habit of consuming adequate water.