Kids Health
Kids-health is a site packed with hints and tips to keep you and the family healthy.
Minor Cuts and Grazes
Kids are active little things and are bound to have more than a few cuts and grazes during their childhood. Here is a concise guide to treating minor cuts and grazes. For more serious problems always seek medical advice.
When a child gets a cut or a graze, there well may be blood, and you may be shocked at how dramatic their injury looks. Remind yourself that a little blood can look alot and the wound may not be as bad as it first appears. Reassure your little one and don’t panic – if you are afraid, the chances are, they will be too.
What to do:
- Make sure you wash your hands with soap and water before touching the wound. You don’t want to introduce germs.
- Hold the wound under running tap water to remove any loose bits of sand or grit.
- Pat the area dry with a sterile swab. Don’t rub or the wound could become worse.
- Next, apply an antiseptic cream to protect from infection and aid natural healing.
- Finally, apply a plaster to protect the wound and stem bleeding. Remove the plaster to promote healing as soon as a scab has formed.
Always seek medical advice if you have any doubts or if:
- There is a foreign body in the wound.
- There is a high risk of infection (e.g. animal bite or cut by dirty object).
- A wound starts to become infected after a period of time or does not heal well.
