Many kids get a cut
from falls or using
sharp objects like scissors. Some cuts can be safely treated at home. Large, gaping,
and deeper cuts — or any wounds that won't stop bleeding — need medical treatment.
What to Do
If the cut is severe and you can't get your child to a hospital right away or must
wait for an ambulance, begin this treatment:
Rinse the cut or wound with water and apply pressure with sterile gauze, a bandage,
or a clean cloth.
If blood soaks through the bandage, place another bandage on top of the first
and keep applying pressure.
Raise the injured body part to slow bleeding.
When bleeding stops, cover the wound with a new, clean bandage.
Do not use a
.
Get Medical Care if:
the cut is deep or its edges are widely separated
the cut continues to ooze and bleed even after applying pressure
the injury was caused by an animal or human bite, burn, electrical injury, or
puncture wound (such as a nail)
Call 911 Right Away
If Your Child:
has a body part, such as a fingertip, that is cut off. Put the part that
was cut off in a sealed plastic bag right away. Put the bag in a container with ice
water.
has a cut and the blood is spurting out and hard to control
is bleeding so much that bandages are becoming soaked with blood
Think Prevention!
Childproof so
that infants and toddlers are less likely to fall
or become injured on table corners, sharp objects, or doors that may slam shut.
Be sure your kids wear shoes when playing outside.
Watch teens when they are cutting with sharp knives.
