Summer Safety: How to Treat Your Child ’s Cuts and Scrapes

More outdoor playtime usually brings more cuts and scrapes for kids. Here are some tips from the experts at the University of Maryland Children’s Hospital on the best way to treat your child.   What’s the best way to treat a small cut or scrape? If the wound is bleeding, keep the area elevated and apply pressure to the site with a clean cloth or gauze. Most minor wounds will stop bleeding in about 5 to 10 minutes. Continue to hold pressure until the bleeding stops. After the bleeding stops, wash the wound with lots of water. Soaking the wound in water can be helpful if there is dirt or other debris in the wound. You can use mild soap to clean the wound but don’t use rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide —they irritate the tissue in the wound, which causes pain. After cleaning the wound, apply antibacterial ointment and cover it with a clean dressing.   How do I know if my child needs stitches? Here are some examples of wounds that probably require stitches: Cuts that go all the way through the skin Cuts with visible fat (yellow) or muscle (dark red) Cuts that are gaping open Cuts longer than half an inch. Note that smaller cuts can often benefit from butterfly closures or skin glue Your doctor can examine the wound and help decide the best way to close it. What is the process for getting stitches? Getting stitches can be scary for children, but there are many ways to make the experience easier. These include numbing the area, distracting and coaching the child...
Source: Life in a Medical Center - Category: Universities & Medical Training Authors: Tags: Children's Health abrasions cuts scar scrapes skin Source Type: blogs