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WOUNDS
General Information
Description
Lacerations (cuts) are open wounds in the skin. The wounds sometimes extend
to underlying tissue and muscle. Appropriate health care includes closure
of large and bleeding lacerations by a doctor. Most cuts and scrapes heal
well without sutures/stitches. Lacerations usually heal in 2 weeks if they
do not become infected.
The causes for lacerations are by direct blow with a sharp or blunt object
(knife, athletic equipment, stick, etc.).
Risk Factors
Contact sports; auto, motorcycle, or bicycle racing; uneven terrain for a
playing field.
Preventing complications
or Recurrence
It is difficult to prevent an unexpected injury but the child should wear
protective padding and appropriate equipment when it comes to sports or active
leisure.
Minor Care
For the child's minor cuts:
Hold the wounded area under running water and clean together with soap away
any sand or dirt. Pat the skin dry. Cover minor cuts with fabric plasters.
Change every two days. Change more often if blood is coming through the plaster
or if it gets wet. If the wound is bleeding try to stop it by pressing down
on the wound (remember to wash your hands first).
For your child's serious cuts and brisk bleeding:
Cover the injured area with a cloth or your bare hands, if no cloth is available.
Apply strong pressure directly to the laceration for 10 minutes while awaiting
an ambulance or transportation to an emergency room. If direct pressure doesn't
control extremely heavy bleeding and bleeding is from an arm or leg, use a
light tourniquet. Make a tourniquet from a length of cloth or similar material.
Note how long the tourniquet is in place so emergency medical personnel will
know. Don't leave the tourniquet on longer than 20 minutes.
For wound care without brisk bleeding: Clean the child's wound carefully with
water. The wound will be cleaned again and sutured in the doctor's office
or an emergency medical facility, usually under local anaesthesia.
Keep the wound covered with a bandage and moderate compression for 2 days
to help prevent fluid collection under the sutures. If the bandage gets wet,
replace it and apply non-prescription antibiotic ointment. If bleeding occurs
after suturing, control it by applying firm pressure to the child's wound
with a facial tissue or clean cloth. Hold the pressure for 10 minutes. Prevent
tetanus by having the child get a booster dose of tetanus toxoid, but first
always find out the child's vaccination status. Protect a child's laceration
with extra padding during contact sports until it heals.
Activity
Your child should avoid vigorous exercise for 1 to 6 weeks after suturing.
Contact your doctor
Always consult with your GP or A & E Department