Tips to Grow By
TM
A publication of Akron Children’s Hospital
Cuts, Strains, Sprains and Fractures
Most small cuts don’t present any danger to kids. But
larger cuts often require immediate medical treatment.
Depending on the type of wound and its location,
occasionally there is a risk of damage to tendons and nerves.
What to do:
For minor bleeding from a small cut or scrape:
• Rinse the wound thoroughly with water to clean out
dirt and debris.
• Then wash the wound with a mild soap and rinse
thoroughly. (For minor wounds, it isn’t necessary to
use an antiseptic solution to prevent infection and
some can cause allergic skin reactions.)
• Cover the wound with a sterile adhesive bandage or
sterile gauze and adhesive tape.
• Examine the wound daily. If the bandage gets wet,
remove it and apply a new one. After the wound forms
a scab, a bandage is no longer necessary.
• Call your doctor if the wound is red, swollen, tender,
warm or draining pus.
For bleeding from a large cut or laceration:
• Wash the wound thoroughly with water. This will
allow you to see the wound clearly and assess its size.
• Place a piece of sterile gauze or a clean cloth over the
entire wound. If available, use clean latex or rubber
gloves to prevent the spread of infection. If you can,
raise the bleeding body part above the level of the
child’s heart. Do not apply a tourniquet.
• Using the palm of your hand on the gauze or cloth,
apply steady, direct pressure to the wound for 5
minutes. During the 5 minutes, do not stop to check
the wound or remove blood clots that may form on the
gauze.
• If blood soaks through the gauze, do not remove it.
Apply another gauze pad on top and continue applying
pressure.
• Call your doctor or seek immediate medical attention
for all large cuts or lacerations, or if:
w you’re unable to stop the bleeding after 5 minutes of pressure, or if the wound begins bleeding again. If so, continue applying pressure until you receive further help
w you’re unable to clean out dirt and debris
thoroughly, or there’s something else stuck in the wound
w the wound is on the child’s face or neck
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w the injury was caused by an animal or human bite, burn, electrical injury or puncture wound (e.g., a nail)
w the cut is more than half an inch long or appears to be deep — large or deep wounds can result in nerve or tendon damage
If you have any doubt about whether stitches are needed,
call your doctor.
Broken Bones
A broken bone requires emergency medical care. Your
child might have a broken (fractured) bone if he heard or felt
a bone snap, has difficulty moving the injured part, or if the
injured part moves in an unnatural way or is very painful to
the touch.
What to do:
For a suspected broken bone:
• Do not move a child whose injury involves the neck
or back, unless he is in imminent danger. Movement
can cause serious nerve damage. Phone for emergency
medical help. If the child must be moved, the neck
and back must be completely immobilized first, ideally
with at least one other person assisting you. Keeping
the head, neck and back in alignment, move the child
together as a unit.
• If a child has an open break (bone protrudes through
the skin) call 911 immediately. If there is severe
bleeding, apply pressure on the bleeding area with a
gauze pad or a clean piece of clothing or other
material. Do not wash the wound or try to push back
any part of the bone that may be sticking out.
• If the child must be moved, apply splints around the
injured limb to prevent further injury. Leave the limb
in the position you find it. The splints should be
applied in that position. Splints can be made by using
boards, brooms, a stack of newspapers, cardboard or
anything firm. Splints can be padded with pillows,
shirts, towels or anything soft. Splints must be long
enough to extend beyond the joints above and below
the fracture.
• Place cold packs or a bag of ice wrapped in cloth on
the injured area.
• Keep the child lying down until medical help arrives.
If he gets lightheaded, try to position the head at a
slightly lower level than the chest, and if you can, lift
the legs.
Cuts, Strains, Sprains and Fractures
Sprains and strains
A sprain occurs when the ligaments, which hold bones
together, are overstretched and partially torn. A strain is
when a muscle or tendon is overstretched or torn. Sprains
and strains generally cause swelling and pain and there may
be bruises around the injured area. Most sprains and strains,
after proper medical evaluation, can be treated at home.
For a suspected sprain or strain:
• If the injury involves the neck or back (even if there is
no pain), do not move the child unless in imminent
danger. Movement can cause serious nerve damage.
Phone for emergency medical help. If the child must
be moved, the neck and back must be completely
immobilized first, ideally with at least one other person
assisting you. Keeping the head, neck and back in
alignment, move the child together as a unit.
• It may be difficult to tell the difference between a
sprain and a break. If there is any doubt whatsoever,
call your doctor or take your child to the nearest
hospital emergency department. An X-ray can
determine if a bone is broken.
(continued)
• First aid for sprains and strains includes rest, ice,
compression and elevation (known as RICE).
w Rest: for at least 24 hours, rest the injured part of the body.
w Ice packs (or cold compresses): apply for up to 10-15 minutes at a time every few hours for the first 2 days to prevent swelling.
w Compression: wear an elastic bandage (such as an ACE bandage) for at least 2 days to reduce swelling.
w Elevation: keep the injured part above heart level as much as possible to ease swelling.
• Do not apply heat in any form for at least 24 hours
after an injury. Heat increases swelling and pain.
• Your doctor may recommend an over-the-counter pain
reliever, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
This information is for educational purposes only and is an abridged version of a full article by KidsHealth.
Tips to Grow By™ is a public service of Akron Children’s Hospital. To read this complete article or see other
topics, go to akronchildrens.org/tips. Photocopying of Tips to Grow By™ is prohibited. Photocopied Tips may
contain outdated information. If you received a photocopy of this Tip, please call 330-543-8760.
© 2014. The Nemours Foundation/KidsHealth®. Used under license.
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