Stitches and Band-Aids and Blood, Oh My!

One parent’s advice on how to assess and treat your child’s wounds

Living in such a lovely, warm climate, our children spend a lot more time with their shoes off and shorts and t-shirts on – leaving lots of skin exposed to potential injury. Playing outside is great fun and an important part of youth fitness. Some injuries are just bound to happen. 

Most wounds will bleed. Some areas like the face and scalp will often bleed a lot. In these circumstances, remain calm – remember that your child is watching you for your reaction! 

Apply steady pressure to the wound. If the wound is deep and direct pressure does not stop the bleeding within a few minutes, take your child to the nearest emergency room or urgent care facility.

A superficial cut should stop bleeding within five to 10 minutes. These types of cuts rarely require stitches and generally heal well with minimal scarring. The most common complication is infection, so it is really important to wash all cuts and scrapes thoroughly yet gently with a washcloth, soap and water for five minutes.

Yes, your child will cry, but it is important to get the dirt out. If there is a lot of skin loss, you should probably take your child to the urgent care center or doctor. 

The wound should be kept dry for the next 24 hours. Bandages and antibiotic ointments are not essential, though most parents can attest to the comfort a bandage (and a kiss) can bring! Stay on the lookout for signs of infection.

Stitches?

A wound that is "not superficial" is a deep cut or gash, possibly near a vein, and may well need stitches. Any wound will heal regardless of stitches, but a non-stitched wound will have a wider scar. The healing process begins immediately after a laceration occurs. If a cut seems significant, have your child checked by a doctor within six hours of the injury, because after six hours the wound begins to heal, and stitching may no longer be possible. If the cut is on your child’s face, delicate stitches can make a noticeable aesthetic difference. 

Most scratches, scrapes and other minor injuries heal in three to five days, but call your doctor if the wound begins to look infected (pus, redness or red streaks) or your child develops any other symptoms. 

For pain relief, use cool packs and over-the-counter pediatric pain relievers. I’ve also found that popsicles and other treats have restorative powers!