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Stitches: Helping wounds heal
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When a cut is too big for you to care for on your own, your doctor may treat a wound with stitches. Stitches can help a cut heal and may reduce scarring.
A cut may need stitches if it’s deep and has jagged edges or edges that won’t stay together. You also may need them if the cut is over a joint. Your doctor can tell you how to take care of the stitches and what to do after they are removed.
For smaller cuts, your doctor might use skin adhesive instead of stitches. This special kind of glue holds the edges of the cut together. It usually comes off by itself in about a week.
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Protect your family with tetanus shots
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A small break in the skin may be all it takes for the bacteria that causes tetanus to get inside your body. This infection can cause symptoms that include jaw stiffness, muscle spasms and even death. Help protect your family by getting tetanus shots as recommended:
Infants and children should receive one shot at ages 2, 4 and 6 months, and booster shots at ages 15 to 18 months and ages 4 to 6 years — five shots total. After that, children should have a booster shot every 10 years.
Adults who had the shots as children should have a booster shot every 10 years. Those who didn’t should have a series of three tetanus shots.
After a serious wound, you also may need a tetanus shot. Call your doctor if someone in your family has a puncture wound, a deep cut or one that’s been contaminated, and it’s been five years since the person’s last tetanus shot or he or she hasn’t completed the immunization series.
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 My child has a cut — now what?
Sometimes, kids bring home their latest backyard discoveries. Other times, your young adventurers may show up with skinned knees or scraped-up elbows.
Consider the following guidelines that can help you know when to treat minor injuries yourself — and when it’s time to get medical help.
Do-it-yourself care
If your child’s cuts or scrapes are minor — for instance, less than half an inch long and only skin-deep — you probably can care for them on your own. Here are some simple first-aid tips to help:
Keep it clean. Wash your hands, then use water to rinse the wound thoroughly. You can use mild soap to clean the surrounding area. Just make sure you don’t get soap in the wound, because it can cause irritation. You also may irrigate the wound with running water to remove any loose dirt. After rinsing, take out any easily removable dirt with clean tweezers. Scrapes must be cleaned thoroughly to help prevent infection, too.
Put the pressure on. To stop bleeding, apply a clean cloth to the wound and use firm but gentle pressure. You may need to apply pressure for up to 10 minutes. If the blood soaks through the cloth, apply another on top — don’t take the first one off.
Go under cover. It’s OK to leave a minor wound uncovered if it won’t get dirty or rubbed by clothing. For example, you might use a bandage on a hand or knee. You can use an adhesive strip, such as a Band-Aid, or sterile gauze and adhesive tape. To help the area stay clean and dry, change the bandage daily and if it becomes wet or dirty.
When to seek help
Most small cuts don’t present a danger to your child. But, some wounds are more serious than you can safely treat.
Call the doctor if your child’s wound:
- Is on the face, ear or neck
- Was made by an animal or person
- Appears to be deep
- Is long — more than half an inch
- Has rough or jagged edges or has dirt or something else that won’t come out
- Gapes open
- Drains pus
- Becomes swollen or tender
Also, talk with your doctor if your child isn’t up-to-date on tetanus shots.
Get emergency medical care if the wound is large and deep or won’t stop bleeding. Your child may need stitches.
Fortunately, most wounds aren’t serious. But, it’s a good idea to keep bandages — and reassuring hugs — on hand. You might be surprised by how useful they are for your little one’s little injuries.
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What about ...
For tips on dealing with other minor injuries, including bruises and bug bites, visit myuhc.com. Click “Health & Wellness,” then type “first aid” in the search box.
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