Written by
Læge
Praktiserende læge, ph.d.
All children have experienced bleeding wounds in the skin caused by stabbing, cutting, or abrasion. For the most part, wounds can be treated at home by parents or other adults.
No matter where the wound is located or how big/deep it is, the adult should proceed as follows:
A wound heals over 8-12 days. In the first 1-2 days, the body cleans the wound on its own. While this takes place, the wound is weeping and mucky. After 3-5 days, a crust forms over the wound, and after 6-8 days, the skin grows to cover the wound beneath the crust. Finally, after 8-12 days, the crust falls off and reveals a scar.
If the wound becomes inflamed, it is revealed by swelling, warmth, redness, and soreness. All four symptoms must be present at the same time. The first days after the accident, the wound is mucky and therefore many believe it to be inflamed – but it is not, it is just the body cleaning the wound. Inflammation does not appear sooner than two days after the accident.
If a wound is bleeding, it must be stopped. The bleeding is stopped with firm pressure against the wound with gauze for five minutes. A handkerchief or a kitchen towel will also do. After stopping the bleeding, you may carefully look at the wound. If there is dirt in the wound, it must be washed with water and soap until it is clean. Finally, you put a band-aid on the wound. The wound should be kept dry for two days.
If you experience redness, warmth, soreness, and swelling around the wound – this can be a sign of infection. If you have any doubts about whether the child has been vaccinated against tetanus.
If the bleeding does not stop after firm pressure against it for 5-10 minutes. If the wound cannot be cleaned. If the wound is big enough to need stitches or glue. The size and location of the wound are crucial for determining whether it needs stitches or glue. A face wound gaping more than 0,5cm should be stitched or glued. Wounds located in other places on the body should be looked at by a doctor if they gape more than 1cm.
