Wounds, bumps, knocks, cuts and scrapes

Wounds are very common with children. Any parent will tell you that this is perfectly normal. I remember as a child that my little brother’s knees and shins were always covered in bruises from his various adventures, and I remember very well the time he fell on a bramble wearing shorts.

I’m sure I was exactly the same – I know that I stepped out of my parents campervan and into a tree once on holiday. They only took photos of my ‘good side’ that holiday, so they didn’t disappoint the grandparents, who would have considered them utterly irresponsible.

The fact is, these things happen.

Getting checked out

There are different types of wounds, some more serious than others. For the large part, you will be able to deal with the bulk of these yourself. You will as parents become very familiar with things like: ice packs; first aid sprays; plasters and the odd bandage.

If you are concerned about the wound and you think it needs medical attention, it most likely does. Trust your instincts and seek medical attention.

Treatment

When you seek medical attention the wound might be closed with steristrips. These are sometimes referred to as paper stitches. These can be taken off in 7-10 days. To remove them you can dampen the steristrips for a few minutes and carefully remove them.

The wound might have been treated with glue. This is amazing stuff and really minimises the scarring. This is a special medical glue that will drop off by itself when the wound is healed.

When tending to wounds with children, it’s crucial to know how to correctly use gauze pads; for a detailed guide, you can visit this informative resource on PlastCare USA.

What to do

Do keep the wound clean and dry for at least five days.

Do leave any dressings on for around five days, or whatever is advised at the time.

Do use E45 cream to prevent itching during the healing process.

What not to do

Do not cover the wound with anything waterproof unless a medical professional tells you to. This can sometimes make the wound soggy and likely to get infected.

Do not pick at any scabs that might form on the wound.

Danger signals

Seek medical attention if you notice any of the following: fluid from the wound; pain, redness or swelling; if the wound re-opens.