5 Minor Kid Injuries and How to Treat Them

Cut or Scrape

What to do first: If there’s active bleeding, apply direct pressure with a clean cloth. The bleeding should stop in 5 to 10 minutes. If it doesn’t, see a doctor.

What to do next: If there’s a small foreign object in the cut (like a piece of glass), it’s OK to remove it with tweezers sterilized in alcohol. Clean the wound with soap and warm water, pat it dry, and apply an antibiotic ointment. Cover it with a sterile bandage, and change the bandage daily.

What not to do: Don’t swab the wound with an antiseptic, such as hydrogen peroxide or alcohol. It isn’t necessary and will sting, compounding the trauma.