First Aid for Minor Wounds Anytime your child has a minor cut or scrape, follow these first-aid guidelines or your doctor’s advice to care for your child: 1. Stop the bleeding by putting pressure on the wound with a clean cloth. If you cannot stop the bleeding, call your doctor for further instructions. 2. Wash your hands with soap and warm water for 15 seconds. This is to remove any germs on them. Dry them well. 3. Clean the wound by rinsing it with clean water. Do not use soap, hydrogen peroxide, alcohol or other cleaners inside the wound. 4. Clean the skin around the wound with antibacterial soap and water. 5. Put an antibiotic ointment such as Neosporin®, Polysporin® or Bacitracin® on the wound. You may also use a less costly store brand. This doesn’t make the wound heal faster, but it helps to keep it from getting infected. If your child gets a rash from the ointment, stop using it. 6. Put a bandage or dressing over the wound to keep the area clean and away from germs. Clean the wound and change the dressing each day for several days. Follow steps 2 – 5 above. After several days, remove the dressing and let it air dry until it is healed.
©2006-13 P&H Assoc., Inc This handout is for information only and is not meant to replace your doctors advice or treatment.
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First Aid for Minor Wounds
7. Watch for signs of infection. Call the doctor if your child has any signs of infection: ●
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redness or swelling around wound more pain or tenderness at site red streaks coming from the wound pus or a bad smell coming from the wound
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fever (temperature over 100.3°F or 37.9ºC)
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the wound has not healed within 10 days
Your child may need a tetanus shot if the wound is deep or dirty or if it has been more than 10 years since your child was vaccinated for tetanus.
©2006-13 P&H Assoc., Inc This handout is for information only and is not meant to replace your doctors advice or treatment.
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