Most cases of infant wounds are minor and can be managed at home. Scrapes and cuts are part of growing up and once the child becomes more mobile, he/she is prone to minor injuries.
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In case infant wounds occur, you can easily provide home care measures with the aim on controlling the bleeding and proper application of a dressing.
Steps in caring for infant wounds
- Rinse the wound using clean water to cleanse away any debris or dirt. Continue to rinse the area until all the debris and dirt has been removed.
- Wash the wound using warm water and mild soap. Make sure that the wound is thoroughly rinsed to get rid of any leftover soap.
- Place pressure on the wound to stop the bleeding. You can utilize a clean cloth that is applied over the wound with gentle pressure until the bleeding stops.
- Dab on a thin layer of ointment on the wound. You can utilize an antibiotic ointment to keep the wound clean. Use an ointment that is specifically made for infants since they have skin that is sensitive to the ingredients in some wound care products.
- Apply a bandage over the ointment. Place gentle pressure so that it will fully adhere to the skin of the infant.
- When it comes to infant wounds, always check the wound daily. Make sure that it is healing and clean. Discard the old dressing, check the wound and apply a clean bandage.
In case infant wounds become warm, reddened, swollen, painful or drains pus, a doctor must be consulted as soon as possible since this is an indication of an infection. Other signs that requires further assessment by a doctor include:
- Infant wounds appear more serious than a minor scrape or cut
- Injury does not stop bleeding after 5 minutes of applying direct pressure
- Injury is longer than half an inch in length or deep cuts
- Infant was bitten by another human or an animal
- Infant wounds that are bleeding profusely
- Wound is on the face or neck of the infant
More Information / Disclaimer
The information posted on this page on infant wounds is for learning purposes only. Learn to properly provide wound care by taking a standard first aid course with Ottawa First Aid.