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Cuts and Bruises
Cuts and bruises are part of the adventure of being a kid. Unfortunately, it can’t be prevented fully but most injuries are minor and can be handled at home with simple first-aid treatment and medical care is needed only in the cases where the injury is larger and deeper. Children’s skin is 30-40% thinner than adult skin. It cuts and bruises easily. A child’s sensitive skin can get cut by banging against a hard object like a mirror or being cut by something sharp like a knife or falling on a sharp object and the skin gets accidentally broken or worn away and so there’s a risk of infection. So the most important thing to remember when dealing with a cut or open wound is to keep it clean.
Checklist
Common Questions
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Q. Why does children have more serious cuts and bruises?
A. Children's skin is 30-40% thinner than adult skin. It cuts, bruises and burns easily.
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Q. What can we do to avoid skin injuries in children?
A. Ways in which we can avoid skin injuries in children are:
- a) Don't keep any sharp, hot or heavy item on the edges of platform.
- b) Check all toys for any sharp edges, broken pieces and damaged parts which can cause cuts and bruises.
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Q. Do you need a tetanus injection overtime?
A. The routine vaccinations protect the child from Tetanus till 5 years of age. However in case of any injury from a rusted metal, soil contamination of the open wound or an animal bite , an additional dose is a must.
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Q. What first aid should we do?
A. Wash area with soap and water. Apply direct pressure with a clean cloth/ gauze to stop bleeding. Then apply antiseptic adhesive dressing to cover the wound. If cut is causing continuous bleeding - on head and neck region or other orifices, please take the child to Emergency room.
