All children have falls and minor accidents from time to time. Many of the injuries caused by these minor accidents can be handled at home and do not require professional medical attention.

Treatment

• Remain calm—your child will pick up cues from your behavior. The more upset you act, the more frightened he will become. Often, the louder your child cries, the less severe the injury! The wound often looks worse than it is, especially if there is brisk bleeding. Sometimes, relatively minor injuries are associated with a lot of bleeding. This is likely to happen if the injury is on the scalp, where there is a large supply of blood vessels close to the surface. Abrasions or superficial (first-degree) burns are very painful but usually not very serious.
• Clean the wound properly. If possible, hold the affected area under running water and clean the wound thoroughly. If this is not possible, clean the area with soap and water. In the case of animal or human bites, hold the affected area under running water for at least 5 to 10 minutes. A small amount of bleeding will do no harm.
• When the wound is thoroughly cleaned, apply an antiseptic or antibacterial ointment and cover it with clean gauze and fasten it with tape. At times, all that is needed is a bandage.
• If the wound is still bleeding after you have cleaned it, place clean gauze directly over the area and apply firm pressure to the wound. If you do not have clean gauze, use a clean handkerchief or clean cloth. Elevating the affected part, for example, the foot or the hand, will also help to control the bleeding. If the bleeding continues, medical care should be sought.
• If the wound is deep and gaping, your child will probably need stitches—seek medical attention. If you are traveling and away from home and medical help is not easily accessible, you can try to pull the edges of the wound together using Steri-strip or a butterfly bandage.
• You can make your own butterfly bandage from adhesive tape. Your child may need a tetanus shot, especially if he is not fully immunized or the wound is contaminated with debris. Most children get tetanus immunizations as part of their routine childhood immunizations.
• In the case of an animal bite, your child might need protection against rabies. Contact your physician for guidance. In certain parts of the world, especially Asia, animal bites have a much higher risk of rabies
• It is important to keep the wound clean and dry as it heals. Many wounds will become infected if a bandage or other dressing is left on for too long. Replace the bandage or dressing on a daily basis. Clean the wound every day and allow it to aerate and dry.
• Watch out for signs of infection, which include redness and swelling that spreads outward from the wound, red streaks spreading up the limb from the wound site, worsening pain, or a fever. Wounds of the hands and feet may be deeper than they appear, and infection can spread rapidly in these sites. Many puncture wounds are deep and often become infected. Puncture wounds of the hands or feet should be assessed by a medical professional.

When to Seek Medical Attention

• If a wound continues to bleed.
• If the wound is deep and gaping.
• If your child has a puncture wound of the hands or feet.
• If a wound appears to be infected.
• If your child is not fully immunized against tetanus or the wound is contaminated with debris.
• If your child is bitten by an animal that may have rabies (contact your physician for guidance).