Step
1: Stop the
bleeding if there is any. Apply pressure on the site with a clean cloth. Sterile
gauze available in packets with the chemist is preferable.
Keep pressing at the site for at least five minutes. If the
bleeding recurs, press again. Most bleeds can be stopped by this
simple method. If the bleeding is not severe, wash your hands
with soap and water before touching the child.
Step 2:
Remove any dirt or other foreign material like pieces of glass from the wound. Dirt can lead to
infection and pus formation. Before doing that, wash your hands and
wash the skin around the wound with boiled and cooled water. Then clean the wound with some water. Avoid using soap as it
can damage the tissues. If boiled water is not available,
place the part under running tap water or pour water from a glass
or flush the wound with water from a syringe.
Step 3:
Dress the wound with sterile gauze or a clean cloth after bringing the edges of the wound together. If any
antibiotic ointment like neosporin or soframycin is
available, put it on the wound before applying the gauze. Keep it in place
with a clean cloth or bandage. Do not tie the bandage
too tightly. Change it as soon as it is wet or becomes dirty. Check the wound daily and change the gauze piece. After a few
days, a scab will be formed and the dressing can be removed.
If the gauze or bandage gets stuck to the wound, pour water on
it (preferably boiled and cooled) to facilitate easy
removal.
Step 4:
Stitches may be required if the edges of the wound cannot be brought together, if the wound is deep or is
more than half an inch long. Let your doctor decide. If you
think that stitches may be needed, it is better to see your doctor within 8 hours of the injury.
Step 5:
If a booster dose of DPT or DT is due and the child is around the age of 2 or 5 years, give one shot of DPT
or DT. If he is around 10 years, give an injection of tetanus toxoid. If
your child has received his immunisations in time, he
does not need an extra dose of tetanus toxoid.
Step 6:
If bleeding continues in spite of pressure on the cut, seek medical attention
(see Bleeding).
