Cuts, Bites, Bruises and More – First Aid Tips for Parents

Children are busy, curious, and adventure-seeking. A large part of child development is trying new things as well as improving older skills. Unfortunately both new and old experiences are not always injury-free. While sometimes children need to visit the doctor or even the emergency room, many minor injuries can be treated easily at home. 

Skin wounds

• Scrapes and abrasions: shallow, minor breaks in the skin should be rinsed with clean water to remove dirt and germs. Do not use rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, as this can damage the surrounding tissues. Apply an antibacterial ointment. 
• Cuts: small, shallow cuts can be treated similarly to scrapes. Rinse with clean water and apply pressure with a clean bandage or cloth to stop any bleeding. If the cut is deep, gaping open, or does not stop bleeding, stitches may be necessary. Seek care in the emergency room
• Bruises: apply cold compresses, though do not press ice or frozen packs directly onto the skin. If bruises are extensive or cause continued pain, please reach out to the Pediatrician. 

Please note: If there is an open wound in the skin due to injury, make sure the child is up to date with the tetanus vaccination. Your child’s Pediatric office can help you determine if a booster vaccination is needed.

Burns

• Superficial (1st degree) burns: run cool water over the skin. Avoid ice, butter, oils, and ointments. 
• Blistering (2nd degree) burns: run cool water over the skin. Do not break the blisters on purpose. 
• Deep (3rd degree) or widespread burns: call 911 immediately. run cool water over the skin and cover child with clean thin sheet until help arrives. 

For any burns of face, hands, feet, or genitals, take the child to the emergency room.

Bites and Stings

• Animal and human bites: wash area well with soap and water. Child should be seen by Pediatrician for minor bites, in the emergency room for extensive or severe bites. 
• Stinging insects: remove stinger if still present. Use cold compress for pain and swelling. Be aware of severe allergic reactions – swelling of face or mouth, trouble breathing, hives, vomiting – and call 911 if these develop. 
• Spider bites: wash wound and apply cold compress. If the spider is identifiable as a brown recluse or black widow reach out to the Pediatrician’s office for more information. 
• Snake bites: keep child still and calm, and try to elevate the affected area if possible. Do not apply ice or tourniquets. Child should be seen in the emergency room if the snake is unidentifiable or if recognizable as venomous. 

Allergic reactions

• Call 911 immediately if there is an ingestion of a known allergen – for example, peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish. Give a dose of epinephrine if it is available. 
• Swelling of face, difficulty breathing, hives on the face, or severe vomiting should be assumed to be an anaphylactic reaction and treated immediately. Call 911. 
• Mild skin reactions of rashes and hives (other than on face or mouth) may be treated with topical anti-itch creams or oral Benadryl (dosed by weight for children. Call for help with dosing if needed). 

Ask for more help

You can always ask your child’s Pediatrician for advice on injuries, but there are some instances where it is important to be evaluated in person. Here is a basic guide for when and where to go for more help. If you are new to an area, be sure to find out where the nearest emergency room is!

ER

• deep or gaping wounds
• continued bleeding from wounds
• extreme or significant pain
• visibly broken bones – look for swelling, deformities, or pain with movement. 
• loss of consciousness

911

• puncture wounds with object still embedded in the skin
• bones sticking through the skin
• widespread or deep burns
• electrical burns

Final thoughts

Kids can be dangerous creatures. They are still learning their limits and will often get hurt. Many of these injuries are minor and can be treated at home, but some injuries are more significant and need further care. In addition, it is a good idea to learn CPR if possible. There are many local agencies that can help you learn basic CPR and first aid. 

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