When you have young
children in the home, scrapes and cuts are part of growing
up and so it is a good idea to have few rescue tips
on hand to help you through these times:
It is wise for your child to have a tetanus vaccination
every 5 years.
If an accident occurs don’t panic, calm your
child and assure him that you are going to help.
Wash your hands before starting any first aid treatment
Scrapes are generally minor and should be cleaned
with soap and warm water ensuring that any dirt is
rinsed away. If there is dirt or gravel stuck in the
scrape which you cannot remove, check it out with
your doctor. Otherwise twice a day wash with warm
water and rinse away any debris and germs under the
tap. Apply a diluted peroxide solution (half water,
half peroxide) for two minutes. Then rinse away. Apply
an antibiotic ointment.
Discourage your injured child from sucking cut fingers
– unfortunately, saliva from his mouth can transmit
germs.
Keep a red washcloth handy to use for mopping up blood
from cuts and scraps. Children don’t notice
the extent of any bleeding when it is soaked up on
a red background. Wash any cut area well with soap
and water. Remove any dirt particles and the let the
water from the tap run over it for several minutes.
A bag of frozen peas from the freezer makes a very
helpful ice pack.
An aloe plant growing on your window ledge is useful
for applying to any minor scrapes and cuts –
it will help sunburn and stings too.
A spoonful of sugar will help a minor cut in the mouth,
tongue or gum.
Apply pressure with a clean cloth to a minor cut and
the bleeding should stop after 10 minutes or so. If
you worried about possible scarring, there is a gaping
wound or one located close to the eye or if the bleeding
continues or the injury is caused by an animal or
human bite, then call your doctor.
If you need to apply ointment and a bandage, then
put the ointment directly on to the bandage itself
before placing it on your child’s injury. Do
not apply antiseptic liquids such as iodine or alcohol
as these tend to irritate the wound. You can always
make your child smile again by at the same time putting
a bandage on the identical area of a favorite doll
or soft toy. Once a scab has formed, a bandage is
generally not needed.
If your child has a splinter, sterilize tweezers in
alcohol or hot soapy water before gently removing
the foreign body. You can numb the skin first by holding
an ice pack wrapped in a cloth for a few minutes against
the splinter. For a shallow splinter, simply smooth
a piece of tape over the area and pull it out. Serious
splinters, especially made of glass or metal, need
medical attention.
Most scrapes and cuts are minor injuries that can
be treated at home. But if you are really concerned,
then it is always wise to seek medical advice.
