Summer brings more fun and leisure time for our children. And, in parallel, more falls and accidents on knees and bare arms. We have all hurt and scratches and is part of our childhood. We just have to know what to do to clean and disinfect them well.
Only a few days ago we echoed the warning of a mother who told how her son's wound ended in sepsis that seemed to evolve well. But it does not have to be like that. Most of the time they are simple scratches.
Even so, you have to pay attention to them and as always it is better to prevent, we tell you how the wounds heal step by step and when it is necessary to consult the doctor.
Medline Plus, the United States National Health Library, explains that:
"Wounds are injuries that break the skin or other tissues of the body. They include cuts, scratches and skin bites. Minor wounds are not usually serious, but it is important to clean them well."
In Babies and more The child has taken a slight blow to the head, what to do?How to act against a scratch or scratch
Although it seems mild, parents should pay maximum attention to the wound and, above all, comfort our child.
However small the fall, the first thing is to talk and reassure the child.You need our love and also, if you are relaxed, the cure will be much easier.
According to the Spanish Association of Pediatrics (AEP), when our child makes a small cut and bleeds little:
The wound must be washed with water to remove dirt and then cleaned with a mild soap and rinse thoroughly. It is not necessary to always use an antiseptic.
Cover the wound with a bandage or sterilized gauze.
You have to change it for a new one if it gets wet or dirty.
When it begins to leave scab, it is a sign that the wound begins to heal and it is better to take it to the air, without covering.
How to heal a wound
A wound with an object, such as stepping on a nail, or a fall on sandy ground, does not cause much blood, but it does risk infection. In these cases, the Mayo Clinic explains what to do:
Wash your hands and apply gentle pressure on the wound with a clean gauze.
Clean the wound with clean water for 5 to 10 minutes. If dirt or debris remains in the wound, it must be removed with tweezers disinfected with alcohol. Clean the skin around the wound with soap and clean gauze.
Apply an antiseptic, to prevent germs from entering the human body. The best options, according to professional pharmacists are:
Chlorhexidine It comes into action very quickly and has great bactericidal activity. It can be used both in open wounds and on intact skin. It is widely used in children and pregnant women, since these groups try to avoid the application of iodine. against organic matter such as pus, exudate or blood, it has no contraindications and is not toxic.
Povidone iodine in concentration of 10%. It is widely used as an antiseptic and disinfectant. It is very effective against spores and all types of germs (bacteria, fungi, viruses, protozoa), although its activity is reduced in the presence of organic matter.
Merbromine. Essential in the medicine cabinet of our childhood, the well-known mercromine has stopped being used before the appearance of new antiseptics. The reason? It contains mercury, a toxic, and often produces hypersensitivity reactions. It is used in a 2% concentration for skin disinfection and decreases its effectiveness if there is pus or dirt.
- Cover the wound with a bandage, to help keep the wound clean. You have to change the bandage at least once a day or every time it gets dirty.
What to do if a child cuts
The AEP recommends:
Wash the wound carefully with water, to see the size and importance of the wound.
Cover the wound with sterile gauze. If you can, it will raise the body part of the child that is bleeding to a level higher than your heart, and never do a tourniquet.
Press five minutes on the wound with the palm of your hand, without removing it.
If the blood soaks the gauze, another piece of gauze must be placed on top of the previous one and continue to exert pressure on it until it stops bleeding.
To know if the wound needs stitches, the American Academy of Pediatrics explains that they may be suitable for those cuts that cross the entire skin:
Small cuts that are not open can surely be closed with sterile strips (surgical tape).
You will need stitches, an open cut in which you see dark red muscle or yellowish fat, even if it is small.
Also if it measures more than 1.30 cm. But, even if it is smaller, if it is deep, it is open or it is in a very visible area, it is convenient to consult with the pediatrician to decide whether or not you need points.
If the cut has been on the head, the wound is likely to close with staples. They are very fast and close the wound as well as the stitches.
When to consult the doctor
If we fail to remove all dirt from the wound.
If we observe redness, the child complains of greater pain, has the hottest or swollen wound.
We must go to the emergency department if the wound continues to bleed after exerting direct pressure for more than 5 minutes.
If the wound was caused by a bite. In this case, you must also check that the cat or dog has the vaccines up to date.
It is deep, dirty or made with a metallic object.
In Babies and more An Italian girl remains admitted to the ICU after contracting tetanus disease because she is not vaccinated- It is common for parents to wonder if it is necessary to put an extra dose of tetanus vaccine if the wound is ugly. But, as pediatrician Jesús Garrido García explains, it is not usually necessary because "If they are up to date on their vaccines, they are covered until they are 24 years old."
Vaccination is recommended for certain risk wounds when it has not been vaccinated for more than 10 years. That in children who have their vaccination calendar up to date never happens.
