When it comes to taking care of their children, parents with small and young children must be very hands-on. Bruises and cuts are common when children start to walk, ride a bicycle, or participate in new activities at home or school.
However, most bruises and wounds may be treated at home. Here are a few ideas:
Taking care of cuts at home
To avoid introducing germs to the wounds, wash your hands with soap and water. If the bleeding doesn’t cease, apply pressure to the wound. As a consequence, the wound will gradually cease bleeding.
Now, run cool water over the area for a minute to ensure that any foreign debris, dirt, grass, or gravel is properly removed and is not lodged in the wound.
If there are any visible shards in the wound, try removing them using sterilized tweezers. The most crucial suggestion is to avoid immediately putting alcohol or hydrogen peroxide to the wound, as this may interfere with the healing process. Instead, use mild soap and water to clean the injury.
The next step is to apply antibiotic ointment or petroleum jelly to the affected area to prevent infection while keeping it moist. Avoid applying coconut oil, essential oils, or Vitamin E oil directly to the wound until a scab forms because these oils are not always sterile.
Place a bandage over the wound and change it at least once a day until the scab forms.
Important: After changing the bandage, clean the cut and reapply the ointment.
The difficult part begins when the scab forms. Make sure your child does not prick or pick at it, as this will delay the healing process.
Importantly, if the cut is deep, it is best to see a doctor to see if stitches or an antibiotic prescription are necessary.
Home remedies for bruises
Apply an ice pack right away to your child’s bruise or injury to prevent it from becoming black and blue.
In the first 24 hours, wrap ice in a napkin or towel rather than putting it directly on the bruise. Do this several times for 15 to 20 minutes each time. It significantly lowers the likelihood of inflammation developing at the site of the injury and, by rendering the area numb, lessens pain.
Try to keep your child elevated if the injury is to the upper body to prevent swelling by preventing blood from pooling there.
You can use a warm or heating pad on the area several times per day after 48 hours. The healing process will speed up as a result.
Make sure the child is dressed comfortably, without any tight or restricting clothing, to prevent any damage to the injured area. Additionally, keep the bruises covered because UV rays tend to hinder the healing process.
