How to Treat Your Child's Cuts and Scrapes

Treating a child's boo-boos is a bonding experience. Anytime we can relieve our child's pain, we feel good as parents. Use this first-aid time together to show your child that you love her, and that you will successfully nurse her wound back to health. And remember, kisses really do help the healing process. And a Popsicle afterward doesn't hurt either.

Things You'll Need

• Betadine Solution
• Adhesive Bandages
• Antibacterial Ointments
• Antibacterial Soaps
• Antibiotic Creams
• Bandages
• Fun Adhesive Bandages
• Sterile Dressings
• Tetanus Shots

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Instructions

• 1

  Provide love and comfort. When your child comes in crying with rivulets of blood dripping from her knee, don't overreact. Be calm, and reassure your child that you are there to "nurse" her wound back to optimum health.

• 2

  Have your child sit down. A wiggly child is difficult to treat.

• 3

  Talk to the child as you prepare to treat her injury. Explain what you are doing.

• 4

  Wash the wound with a warm, soft, soapy washcloth. Also wash the area surrounding the wound; this will keep germs that are outside the wound, on the surrounding skin, from spreading back into the wound.

• 5

  Examine the wound, once it is clean. If the cut is deep or the bleeding is excessive, check with your pediatrician about the need for stitches.

• 6

  Check for debris that may have lodged in the wound. Gravel is common when a child falls on the pavement and scrapes her knees. Remove any bits of debris you might see.

• 7

  Wipe the wound with betadine, once it has stopped bleeding. Use a betadine swab, betadine pad, or moisten a gauze dressing with betadine.

• 8

  Apply a small dab of antibiotic ointment.

• 9

  Cover with a Band-Aid, in most cases. Larger wounds will need a 4-by-4 dressing pad and dressing tape. Consider using non-stick dressings.