Cuts and scrapes are just a part of childhood — of living. The vast majority of cuts and scrapes are minor, requiring little more than a kiss and cuddle and an adhesive bandage. This should reassure parents that, chances are, even if a cut looks downright gory, it is probably superficial. However, some injuries require a doctor’s care. How does a parent determine what constitutes a serious cut?
First, where is the cut? If on an arm or leg, chances are, it will be superficial. Cuts on the neck or about the head should be observed carefully. The parent should wash the area thoroughly with water and check for gravel, grass or other debris in the wound.
Is the wound bleeding profusely? Wounds on the face or about the head tend to bleed a great deal, but still may not need medical attention. The parent should hold a gauze pad to the wound, pressing tightly for 30 seconds at a time. If the wound continues to bleed heavily after three to four minutes, stitches are probably indicated. The parent should then put a gauze pad over the wound and secure it snugly with adhesive tape and get the child to the doctor’s office or emergency room.
A bleeding wound is always scary. However, the parent should do his or her best to remain calm so that the child will be calm, as well. Hysteria causes the blood pressure to rise and the bleeding will increase. The parent should reassure the child that all is well, and that the bleeding will stop, eventually.
Another issue that may arise when a child gets a cut is tetanus. Has the child had a full course of tetanus shots, with boosters? How long has it been? A call to the child’s doctor or to the Health Department should clear this up. If it has been a while since the child had a tetanus booster, it is probably time for another one.
Parents should probably call the doctor if the child has a severe cut that didn’t require stitches. The doctor may want to see the cut, to check for infection. One of the best ways to prevent infection is to keep some antibiotic ointment around. Children generally do not balk too much at having this applied to a wound, since it rarely stings or burns. However, the ointment will assist the wound to heal quickly, with fewer complications.
Once in a while, a child will come home with a truly horrible wound. It may not bleed much, but muscle or bone may be visible in the wound. If this is the case, of course, the child should get immediate medical attention.
The parent should follow roughly the same guidelines with puncture wounds as with cuts.
Puncture wounds usually do not look as frightening as cuts, but they can bleed a lot, as well. Again, parents should remember to stay calm and attempt to stop the bleeding. These wounds can also become infected and parents should watch the wound for signs of festering, such as heat and redness and excessive soreness in the wound, or pus oozing out of it.
Parents do tend to freak out when their children are injured, but staying calm will allow them to be of the most assistance to their child. Remembering the above guidelines will help them determine the best course of action for their child.
