Cuts and bruises in kids: How to treat them at home?

Parents with small and young kids have to be pretty hands-on when it comes to taking care of their children. Bruises and cuts are quite a regular thing when kids learn to walk, ride a bicycle or even do new activities while playing or at school.

But more often, these bruises and cuts can be easily treated at home. Here are a few ways of doing it:

Treating cuts at home

• Wash your hands with soap and water to avoid introducing germs to the wounds. If the bleeding does not stop, start applying pressure around the wound. As a result, slowly the wound will stop bleeding.
• Now clean the wound under running cool water for a minute to ensure that foreign debris, dirt, grass, or gravel are removed properly and are not embedded in the wound.
• If there are some fragments visible in the wound try removing them with the help of disinfected tweezers. The most important tip is to avoid applying alcohol or hydrogen peroxide directly to the wound as it may interfere with the process of healing. Instead, wash the cut with mild soap and water.
• The next step is to apply antibiotic ointment or petroleum jelly to prevent the onset of infection while keeping the affected area moist. Avoid directly applying coconut oil, essential oils, or Vitamin E oil until the scab forms on the wound because many times these oils are not sterile.
• Put a bandage and change it at least once a day till the scab forms. Importantly, every time you change the bandage clean the cut and reapply the ointment.
• The tough time starts when the scab starts forming. Make sure that your child does not prick it or try to pick it as it will delay the healing process.
• Importantly, if the cut is deep, it is better to consult a doctor to check whether the wound needs any stitches or an antibiotic prescription.

Treating bruises at home

• As soon as your child gets a bruise or an injury apply an ice pack before the injury turns black and blue. Instead of applying ice directly on the bruise wrap, it in a napkin or a towel and place it on the bruised area for 15 to 20 minutes a few times in the first 24 hours. It significantly reduces the chances of inflammation at the site of the injury and also decreases pain by making the area numb.
• If the injury is to the upper part of the body, try to keep your child on an elevation so that the blood does not pool around the area and swelling is prevented.
• After 48 hours you can apply a warm or heating pad and apply it to the area a couple of times a day. It will increase the healing process.
• Make sure that the child wears comfortable clothes with no tightness or constrictions so that the injured area is not affected. Also, keep the bruises covered as UV rays have a tendency to slow down the process of healing.