It’s no secret that kids love to play around, especially outdoors. While parents may have worries, children should be encouraged to play outside because it helps with physical development. However, parents should keep a close eye on their children because they may get hurt. The worst-case scenario is that they may get an open wound.
Cuts and scrapes are one thing because they’re pretty manageable, but open wounds are a different story because they can be vulnerable to infection. If a child sustains an open wound, parents should ensure that their children are clean and keep the wound covered to avoid infection. Children should be brought to a doctor in extreme cases because it could be a bigger problem than expected. However, not many parents know what constitutes an open wound, which is why we’ll discuss them in this article. These include:
#1 – Laceration
A laceration is an open wound that results from a cut or tears on the skin. It can be caused by an accident, physical trauma, or falling on an object. The wound is usually a torn blood vessel or broken skin. The wound can be covered with a bandage if the laceration is small. However, you should bring your child to a doctor if the laceration is very deep or large because they may need stitches to ensure that the wound is healed.
#2 – Puncture Wound
Puncture wounds are more dangerous than lacerations because they can be caused by sharp objects such as knives, needles, needles, or even splinters. In some cases, these wounds can be caused by an animal bite. These wounds can be highly traumatic because they can damage internal organs. For example, if an animal bites your child, there could be rabies. On the other hand, there could be internal bleeding if your child is stabbed with a knife. You should bring your child to a doctor if the wound is very deep or large.
#3 – Burn Wound
As the name suggests, burn wounds are wounds that you can get from burns such as flame or electrical. Depending on the severity, burns can be very dangerous because they can spread to other body parts. For example, if your child accidentally touches a hot stove, the skin will be burned. You should bring your child to a doctor immediately to address the wound because it will likely cause infection and scarring.
#4 – Avulsion
An avulsion is a wound that involves complete or partial trauma to the skin, blood vessels, and underlying tissue. It is caused by an accident or physical trauma. For example, if your child falls on a jagged cupboard, the injuries could be avulsions. The wound could also be caused by sharp objects such as scissors or a knife. You must bring your child to a doctor if the wound is very deep or large because it has a high chance of infection.
What You Can Do
You must always prepare yourself for the worst to take care of your child. When you come across an open wound, you should take the following steps:
- Wash your child’s hands with soap and water to ensure that germs are not spread to the wound.
- Clean the wound using lukewarm water and mild soap.
- Ensure that you clean the wound so that all dirt and debris are removed.
- Wash the wound with soap and water again.
- Use a clean towel to pat your child’s skin dry.
Of course, you’ll need to get your child to a pediatrician. A pediatrician will know what to do and may recommend specific measures, such as dressing the wound or treating it with stitches. You should never rule out going to the doctor because getting an accurate assessment from a professional can save your child from further problems.
Conclusion
Kids will always want to play around, but you should ensure that they are safe from harm. If you come across an open wound, you should take the necessary steps to address it before it worsens. This can help you to heal quickly and reduce the chances of infection. While an open wound may be scary, the best thing to do is stay calm, seek professional medical attention, and treat the wound with proper care.
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