Wounds

WOUNDS 

Most children get cuts and scrapes once in a while. These wounds are usually minor and easily looked after. Larger or deeper wounds may need medical care.

How to treat cuts and scrapes:

· Wash your hands.

· Tell your child to sit or lie down.

· If the wound is bleeding: take sterile gauze (or a clean cloth) and press it on the wound, until the bleeding stops.

· Clean the cut or scrape with water (or a clean cloth). DO NOT use hot water. If there is any dirty or sand, you can clean a pair of tweezers with rubbing alcohol (or boiling water) and use them to pick out debris.

· Cover the cut or scrape until a scab forms: use a sticky (adhesive bandage) to cover the cut or scrape until it has dried or formed a scab. You can use an antibiotic ointment such as Polysporin to protect against infection and help keep the bandage from sticking to the wound.

· Once a cut or scrape has formed a scab, you can leave it open to the air. But if the wound is at risk of becoming dirty or irritated, keep it covered for protection.

· DO NOT USE: alcohol, iodine, mercurochrome, hydrogen peroxide, or similar agents to clean the wound. They will cause pain and irritation, and will not clean the wound better than water. 

How to care for more serious wounds: puncture wounds

Puncture wounds are deep, narrow wounds made by an object. It can be hard to tell how deep they are, and they are more likely to become infected. Your child may need a tetanus booster shot. If your child has a puncture wound, you should usually see a doctor.

   

When to see a doctor for cuts and scrapes

Cuts that are complicated may require a doctor's care, possibly including a repair with skin glue, stitches or staples.

Take your child to a doctor if ….

· You cannot stop the bleeding. 
· The cut seems very deep or keeps opening. 
· The edges of the cut are jagged or are far apart from each other. 
· Your child has been bitten by an animal or another child. 
· Your child has a puncture wound. 
· You cannot clean the injury properly. 
· You are concerned there may be a deeper injury such as a broken bone or possible tendon injury. 
· Your child is not using the affected hand, arm, or leg. 
· The injury involves sensitive areas like the eyes, face, or genital/anal area. 
· Your child's pain is not easily managed. 
· Your child is not immunized or has not had a tetanus immunization within the last 5 years. 
· You see signs of infection while the wound is healing, such as redness, pain, pus, fever, or red streaks.

  

Children First Aid Video: Bleeding (British Red Cross)