Community Health Network

Skin Injury (Cuts, Scrapes, Bruises)
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Symptom
Description

Should I
Call?

Care at
Home

Does this describe your child's symptoms?

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Abrasion on Elbow

Abrasion on Elbow (3 Days Old)

Scratches from a Cat

Bruise on Thigh (1 Day Old)

Bruise on Forearm

Laceration - Chin (After Skin Glue)

First Aid - Cut - Gaping and Needing Sutures

Impetigo of Elbow

Laceration - Chin

Laceration - Scalp

Laceration - Scalp (After Staples)

Puncture Wound - With a Foreign Body

Definition

Cuts, lacerations, gashes and tears
Scrapes, abrasions, scratches and floor burns
Bruises (bleeding into the skin) without an overlying cut or abrasion

When Sutures (stitches) are Needed

Any cut that is split open or gaping probably needs sutures.
Cuts longer than Â½ inch (12 mm) usually need sutures.
On the face, cuts longer than Â¼ inch (6 mm) need closure with sutures or skin glue.
Any open wound that may need sutures should be checked and closed as soon as possible. There is no cutoff, however, for treating open wounds to prevent wound infections.

Cuts Versus Scratches: Helping You Decide

The skin (dermis) is 2 mm thick.
A cut (laceration) goes through it. Â
A scratch or scrape (wide scratch) doesnâ€™t go through it.
Cuts that gape open at rest or are long, need closure to prevent scarring.
Scrapes never need closure, no matter how long they are.
So this distinction is important.

If not, see these topics

It's a puncture, see PUNCTURE WOUND
There's a sliver in the skin, see SKIN FOREIGN BODY
Injury looks infected, see WOUND INFECTION

First Aid:

First Aid Advice For Severe Bleeding:

Place 2 or 3 sterile dressings (or a clean towel or washcloth) over the wound immediately.
Apply direct pressure to the wound, using your entire hand.
If bleeding continues, apply pressure more forcefully or to a slightly different spot.
Act quickly because ongoing blood loss can cause shock.

First Aid Advice for Shock: Lie down with the feet elevated.

First Aid Advice for Penetrating Object: If penetrating object still in place, don't remove it (Reason: removal could increase internal bleeding).

Should I
Call?

Care at
Home

When to Call Your Doctor

	Call 911 Now (your child may need an ambulance) If
	Major bleeding that can't be stopped (see FIRST AID)
	Call Your Doctor Now (night or day) If
	For bleeding, see FIRST AID You think your child has a serious injury Bleeding won't stop after 10 minutes of direct pressure Deep cut and can see bone or tendons Skin is split open or gaping, especially on the face Pain is SEVERE (and not improved after 2 hours of pain medicine) Age under 1 year old Dirt or grime in the wound is not removed after 15 minutes of scrubbing Wringer-type injury Skin loss from bad scrape goes very deep Skin loss involves greater than 10% of body surface (Note: The palm of the hand equals 1%) Cut or scrape looks infected (redness, red streak or pus)
	Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours (between 9 am and 4 pm) If
	You think your child needs to be seen Several bruises occur without any known injury Very large bruise follows a minor injury
	Call Your Doctor During Weekday Office Hours If
	You have other questions or concerns No tetanus shot in over 5 years for DIRTY cuts (over 10 years for CLEAN cuts) Doesnâ€™t heal within 10 days
	Parent Care at Home If
	Minor cut, scrape or bruise and you don't think your child needs to be seen

Symptom
Description

Care at
Home

HOME CARE ADVICE FOR MINOR BRUISES, CUTS AND SCRAPES

Bruises:
- Apply a cold pack or ice bag wrapped in a wet cloth to the bruise once for 20 minutes to stop the bleeding.
- After 48 hours apply a warm wet wash cloth for 10 minutes 3 times per day to help reabsorb the blood.
Cuts, Scratches and Scrapes
- Apply direct pressure for 10 minutes to stop any bleeding.
- Wash the wound with soap and water for 5 minutes. (Caution: never soak a wound that might need sutures, because it may become more swollen and difficult to close.)
- Gently scrub out any dirt with a washcloth.
- Cut off any pieces of loose skin using a fine scissors (cleaned with rubbing alcohol).
- Apply an antibiotic ointment, covered by a Band-Aid or dressing. Change daily.
Liquid Skin Bandage for Minor Cuts and Scrapes:
- Liquid skin bandage is a new product that seals wounds with a plastic coating that lasts up to 1 week.
- Liquid skin bandage has several benefits when compared to a regular bandage (e.g., a dressing or a Band-Aid). Liquid Bandage only needs to be applied once to minor cuts and scrapes. It helps stop minor bleeding. It seals the wound and may promote faster healing and lower infection rates. However, it is also more expensive.
- After the wound is washed and dried, the liquid is applied by spray or with a swab. It dries in less than a minute. It's resistant to bathing.
- This new product is available at your local pharmacy.
Pain Medicine: Give acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) or ibuprofen as needed for pain relief.
Call Your Doctor If:
- Looks infected (pus, redness, increasing tenderness)
- Doesn't heal within 10 days
- Your child becomes worse

And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms.

Symptom
Description

Should I
Call?

Disclaimer: This information is not intended be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information.

Author and Senior Reviewer: Barton D. Schmitt, M.D.

Last Reviewed: 1/19/2009

Last Revised: 6/24/2008

Content Set: Pediatric HouseCalls Online