A handkerchief or a piece of cloth should be inserted in the mouth when the child gives a cry to prevent the child from biting his tongue. Also do not put a hard object like a spoon, as that will break the child s teeth. If the tongue, cheeks or lips are bitten and if the wound is large, the child may have to be taken, after the fit is over, to the nearest emergency centre for the wound to be stitched. The convulsions will stop on their own. There is no need to panic or put onions or shoes near the nose.
Hysterical fits are psychogenic, while convulsions are organic.
The child must be turned to one side so that if he were to vomit, he will not aspirate the same in the lungs. Tight clothing like a tie or a tight collared shirt should be loosened, as breathing will become easier. In case a convulsion continues for more than a few minutes or the child gets repeated convulsions in the same episode, then it is wiser to summon a doctor or take the child to the nearest hospital. Instead of panicking and summoning all and sundry, it is important that the mother watches all events minutely. This is important as at times during convulsion a child may stop breathing for a few seconds or longer and at the time the child should be shaken up or turned to other side.