Children, because of their active lives, are very likely to pick up any number of cuts, bruises, scrapes, sprains and the occasional knock on the head.

Of course the cardinal rule is prevention but when that is not possible, follow these suggestions to help guide you in caring for your child.

Cuts and grazes:

• Cuts and grazes that are not very deep and not gaping open should be washed with soap and water and covered with a simple sterile bandage.
• Deeper cuts can still be cleansed, and then covered with a clean dressing to await medical attention.
• Many cuts can be closed with special techniques that do not require sutures. Your medical team will decide what to use.
• Keep all cuts clean and change dressing daily or as directed. Try to avoid getting the wound wet until it has closed properly. This will take two to three days.
• Simple cuts that are not deep should be kept clean but may be washed as desired.

Call the doctor if:

• Bleeding after cut is closed or sutured.
• Redness and or swelling, heat  and pus are observed around the cut. This is a sign of infection.
• Red streaks running from the cut to other parts of body, especially if on the arms or legs.
• Tender and swollen glands near the site of the cut.

When the skin has been cut, it should be closed as soon as possible, either with an adhesive bandage or from medical attention if necessary. If your child is properly immunized, including tetanus vaccine, then it is usually not necessary to repeat it.

Cuts heal, if clean and without infection, in four to seven days. If the edges of the skin are pulled neatly together, then a scar is not likely to form. However, there are certain children, who have a tendency to form large scars from a cut. These are called keloids. If they are in sites that mar appearance, they may need special attention. Your doctor can advise the proper management.

Most cuts that require more than a simple adhesive bandage will occur either on the chin or forehead. That is because children will either fall, leading with their chin, or bump into objects with their heads.

The most important thing to remember about any cut is keep it clean!

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