Minor Injuries Overview

Children's days are filled with running, jumping, bicycling, sports, and other fun activities that keep them active and "on-the-go" from morning until night. Along with the fun comes an occasional cut, bruise, or tumble. Luckily, most of these injuries are not serious. They can be handled with some simple first-aid interventions at home. However, there are times when a healthcare provider's care is needed.

Specific treatment for skin wounds and injuries will be determined by your child's healthcare provider. In general, call your child's healthcare provider for skin injuries that are:

• Bleeding heavily and do not stop after five to 10 minutes of direct pressure

• Deep or longer than 1/2 inch

• Located close to the eye

• Large cuts on the face

• Caused by a puncture wound or dirty or rusty object

• Embedded with debris such as dirt, stones, or gravel

• Ragged or have separated edges

• Caused by an animal or human bite

• Excessively painful

• Showing signs of infection. These include increased warmth, redness, swelling, or drainage

Also call your child's healthcare provider if:

• Your child has not had a tetanus vaccine within the past five years, or if you are unsure when your child's last tetanus shot was given.

• You are concerned about the wound or have any questions.