Cuts and Scratches

Small, superficial lacerations (cuts) simply should be cleaned with plenty of soap and water. Apply direct pressure for 10 minutes to stop any bleeding. Apply an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment and cover it with a bandaid or gauze. Wash the wound, apply the ointment, and change the bandaid daily. Do not kiss the wound or use alcohol on the wound. Let the scab fall off by itself. If suturing the wound is necessary, it must be done as soon as possible after the skin is cut. After 4 hours for bite wounds and 18 hours for other wounds, suturing is no longer an option due to risk of infection. If the laceration is deep and the edges are more than one millimeter apart, then the wound should probably be sutured. A deep laceration is more likely to scar if it is not sutured. If you can bring the edges together and keep them together with a “butterfly” bandaid, then suturing may not be necessary. Depending on their location and depth, some lacerations can be repaired at our office using a special “glue” called Dermabond.

Additionally, be sure to check the date of your child’s last tetanus shot. If Dtap [DO NOT USE ABBREVIATIONS] or Td [DO NOT USE ABBREVIATIONS] have not been given within 5 years of the injury, your child might need a booster.

Call our office immediately if:

• Bleeding won’t stop after 10 minutes of direct pressure.
• The wound edges gape open even though the bleeding has stopped.
• The wound has signs of infection: yellowish or foul smelling pus or discharge, red streaking or spreading redness which is firm and hot to the touch.

Call our office during regular hours if:

• Your child hasn’t had a tetanus booster in more than 10 years (5 years for dirty cuts).
• The wound doesn’t heal by 10 days.
• You have other questions or concerns.