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Cuts and wounds
Most wounds can be treated at home and will start to heal within a couple of days. However, some wounds may need to be treated by a medical professional.
The advice below should help you decide whether your child’s wound requires further help or whether it can be managed by yourself at home.
When should you worry?
If your child has any of the following:
- A cut that will not stop bleeding after 20 minutes of direct pressure
- The blood comes out in spurts and is bright red and hard to control
- Loss of feeling near the wound or has trouble moving the area
- A bad cut on the face or the palm of the hand
- A wound that is large or deep (showing fatty tissue, muscle, or bone)
- There's something stuck in the cut, such as a shard of glass – do not try to take it out yourself
You need urgent help.
Go to the nearest Hospital Emergency (A&E) Department or phone 999
Please commence the following first aid:
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Remove any clothing or jewellery around the injury
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Stop the bleeding by applying pressure to the wound with a clean cloth
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Elevate the injured area if possible
If your child has any of the following:
- A wound that is deeper than 1cm or that you cannot see the bottom of
- A wound that is showing signs of infection (redness, pus from the wound site, warmth or swelling around the area)
- A wound that is the result of a human or animal bite
- There is a wound and your child is not immunised against tetanus (routinely given as part of the UK child immunisation programme)
- Swelling around the injury that is not improving
- Still has pain 48 hours after the injury
You need to contact a doctor or nurse today.
Please call your GP surgery, attend your nearest Minor injuries unit or contact NHS 111 - Go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111. (111 online does not currently take questions about children aged under 5, so if your child is 4 or younger, please call 111).
If symptoms persist for 4 hours or more and you have not been able to speak to either a member of staff from your GP practice or to NHS 111 staff, recheck that your child has not developed any red features.
If none of the above features are present
Self care
Continue providing your child’s care at home. If you are still concerned about your child, call NHS 111 – dial 111
How can you care for minor wounds at home
Wash the wound
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water
- Wash the cut using cool water to gently remove dirt or debris to prevent an infection
- Use direct pressure and elevate to control any bleeding and or swelling
- Pat the area dry using a clean cloth
- Put on a sterile dressing or plaster
- Apply ice if your child has bruising or swelling – use a thin towel between the ice and your skin
- Avoid picking at the scabs
- Apply sun protection until the wound is completely healed. New skin will burn easily and may cause added scarring.
Further information and a video on first aid for cuts and grazes can be be found on the St John's Ambulance website
Pain relief
- Give simple pain relief like paracetamol (calpol) or ibuprofen (nurofen) as required. Do not exceed the recommended dose on the instructions
Where should you seek help?
- If it is non-urgent, speak to your local pharmacist or health visitor.
- If your child has any of the above features, urgently see your GP. For an urgent out-of-hours GP appointment, call NHS 111.
- You should only call 999 or go your nearest A&E department in critical or life threatening situations
For wear and tear, minor trips and everything in between
Self-care
You can treat your child's very minor illnesses and injuries at home.
Some illnesses can be treated in your own home with support and advice from the services listed when required, using the recommended medicines and getting plenty of rest.
Sound advice
Children can recover from illness quickly but also can become more poorly quickly; it is important to seek further advice if a child's condition gets worse.
For information on common childhood illnesses go to What is wrong with my child?
Pharmacists are experts in many aspects of healthcare and can offer advice on a wide range of long-term conditions and common illnesses such as coughs, colds and stomach upsets. You don’t need an appointment and many have private consultation areas, so they are a good first port of call. Your pharmacist will say if you need further medical attention.
Pharmacists are experts in many aspects of healthcare and can offer advice on a wide range of long-term conditions and common illnesses such as coughs, colds and stomach upsets. You don’t need an appointment and many have private consultation areas, so they are a good first port of call. Your pharmacist will say if you need further medical attention.
Health visitors are nurses or midwives who are passionate about promoting healthy lifestyles and preventing illness through the delivery of the Healthy Child Programme. They work with you through your pregnancy up until your child is ready to start school.
Health Visitors can also make referrals for you to other health professionals for example hearing or vision concerns or to the Community Paediatricians or to the child and adolescent mental health services.
Contact them by phoning your Health Visitor Team or local Children’s Centre.
Sound advice
Health visitors also provide advice, support and guidance in caring for your child, including:
- Breastfeeding, weaning and healthy eating
- Exercise, hygiene and safety
- Your child’s growth and development
- Emotional health and wellbeing, including postnatal depression
- Safety in the home
- Stopping smoking
- Contraception and sexual health
- Sleep and behaviour management (including temper tantrums!)
- Toilet training
- Minor illnesses
For more information watch the video: What does a health visitor do?
School nurses care for children and young people, aged 5-19, and their families, to ensure their health needs are supported within their school and community. They work closely with education staff and other agencies to support parents, carers and the children and young people, with physical and or emotional health needs.
Primary and secondary schools have an allocated school nurse – telephone your child’s school to ask for the contact details of your named school nurse.
There is also a specialist nurse who works with families who choose to educate their children at home.
Sound Advice
Before your child starts school your health visitor will meet with the school nursing team to transfer their care to the school nursing service. The school nursing team consists of a school nursing lead, specialist public health practitioners and school health staff nurses.
They all have a role in preventing disease and promoting health and wellbeing, by:
- encouraging healthier lifestyles
- offering immunisations
- giving information, advice and support to children, young people and their families
- supporting children with complex health needs
Each member of the team has links with many other professionals who also work with children including community paediatricians, child and adolescent mental health teams, health visitors and speech and language therapists. The school health nursing service also forms part of the multi-agency services for children, young people and families where there are child protection or safeguarding issues.
GPs assess, treat and manage a whole range of health problems. They also provide health education, give vaccinations and carry out simple surgical procedures. Your GP will arrange a referral to a hospital specialist should you need it.
Sound advice
You have a choice of service:
- Doctors or GPs can treat many illnesses that do not warrant a visit to A&E
- Help your child to understand – watch this video with them about visiting the GP or going to a walk in centre
For information on common childhood illnesses go to What is wrong with my child?
If you’re not sure which NHS service you need, you can call 111 or use 111 online.
Please note that 111 online is for people aged 5 and over. Call 111 if you need help for a child under 5.
An adviser will ask you questions to assess your symptoms and then give you the advice you need, or direct you straightaway to the best service for you in your area.
Sound advice
Use NHS 111 if you are unsure what to do next, have any questions about a condition or treatment or require information about local health services
For information on common childhood illnesses go to What is wrong with my child?
A&E departments provide vital care for life-threatening emergencies, such as loss of consciousness, suspected heart attacks, breathing difficulties, or severe bleeding that cannot be stopped. If you’re not sure it’s an emergency, call 111 for advice.