If the cut and wound is small and limited to the surface of your child's skin with minor bleeding, you can treat it on your own.1
You should take your child to see a doctor right away if:
- the wound is large or deep
- the wound is jagged
- you can see fat, muscle, or bone at the injury site
- the wound does not stop bleeding or slow after applying pressure for 5 minutes
- your child is in a lot of pain or cannot use his or her limb
- the injured area is your child's face or neck
- your child has a medical condition (e.g., diabetes) or is taking medications that may affect his or her ability to fight off infections
- your child was bitten by an animal or human
- there is still dirt in the wound after cleaning it
- it has been more than 5 years since your child has had a tetanus shot
Non-medication treatment
Stop the bleeding.
- Apply firm, gentle pressure to the injury site using a clean cloth or gauze for about 20 minutes. Avoid lifting up the cloth or gauze too early because this can cause more bleeding. Add new gauze or cloth on top of what is already in place.
Keep the wound clean.
- Wash your hands first before helping your child. Wash the area with cool tap water to remove bacteria and foreign debris that can lead to infection and prevent proper healing. Hold the wound under running water, or pour water from a cup onto the wound.
- You can try using sterilized tweezers to remove any particles trapped in the wound
Place a bandage or dressing on the open wound for 1 to 3 days.
- This protects the wound so it can heal more quickly. Change the bandage or dressing every day after cleaning the wound with mild soap and water. You might have to change the bandage more than once a day if it appears dirty or gets wet.
Use ice packs or heat therapy.
- If your child has a closed wound (the skin is not broken), e.g., a bruise, try placing an ice pack on the wound for 20 minutes every few hours. Wrap the ice in a towel first to prevent your child from getting a frostbite. After the first day, a warm water bottle might be helpful.
Elevate the injured area.
- Try to keep the wound above the level of your child's heart. This can reduce swelling by drawing fluid away from the injured site and can also promote healing
Over-the-counter medications
Pain relievers
- Acetaminophen* is a good choice if your child is experiencing pain.
- If your child is over 2 years old, you can try pramoxine, a medication applied to the skin which reduces pain by numbing the wound site.
Topical (surface-applied) antibiotics (e.g., polymixin b, gramicidin)
- Minor cuts and wounds usually heal well without antibiotics, but these creams or ointments may prevent infection and stop the wound from sticking to the bandage.
These medications come in a variety of forms and strengths. Ask your pharmacist which over-the-counter medication is right for you.
If you are giving medication to your child, do not use regular kitchen spoons to measure medications because they are not accurate. Ask your pharmacist for an oral syringe or a medication spoon.
What not to do
Here are some things you should not try and why:
- Do not use antiseptics to clean the wound. Products such as alcohol, iodine, or hydrogen peroxide can cause irritation and may actually damage open tissue and slow down the healing rate.
- Do not give ibuprofen if your child has an open wound. This medication is an anti-inflammatory and can slow down the healing process in open wounds.
- Do not apply hydrocortisone creams or ointments. Hydrocortisone is also an anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen and can slow down the healing process of open wounds.
You should not give acetylsalicylic acid* (ASA, Aspirin®) to people younger than 18 years old because of risk of Reye's syndrome.
* All medications have both common (generic) and brand names. The brand name is what a specific manufacturer calls the product (e.g., Tylenol®). The common name is the medical name for the medication (e.g., acetaminophen). A medication may have many brand names, but only one common name. This article lists medications by their common names. For information on a given medication, check our Drug Information database. For more information on brand names, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
You should start to see your wound closing and your symptoms subside in a few days. The wound should be dry and pink, and you may notice a scab form on top of it. Tell your child not to pick at the scab - it is part of the healing process and will fall off on its own when the time comes. It may take several weeks for the wound to heal completely, depending on the severity of the wound.
You should see a doctor if:
- your child has any signs of infection: fever, pus, continued swelling, tenderness, or the wound is still red and oozing1
- the wound continues to weep, look red and raw, or does not appear to be closing
- your child is still experiencing pain despite taking pain medication
