Laceration in Children
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 4, 2025.
AMBULATORY CARE:
A laceration
is an injury to your child's skin and the soft tissue underneath it.
Common signs and symptoms:
- Injury or wound to skin and tissue of any shape size that looks like a cut, tear, or gash
- Edges of the wound may be close together or wide apart
- Pain, bleeding, bruising, or swelling
- Numbness around the wound
- Decreased movement in an area below the wound
Seek care immediately if:
- Your child has heavy bleeding or bleeding that does not stop after 10 minutes of holding firm, direct pressure over the wound.
- Your child has severe pain.
- Your child has numbness or tingling near his or her wound.
- Your child has trouble moving the area near his or her wound.
- Your child's wound reopens.
Call your child's doctor if:
- Your child has a fever or chills.
- Your child's pain gets worse, even after taking medicine for pain.
- Your child's wound is red, warm, or swollen.
- Your child has white or yellow drainage from the wound that smells bad.
- Your child has red streaks on his or her skin near the wound.
- You have questions or concerns about your child's condition or care.
Treatment for a laceration
depends on how large and deep your child's laceration is, and where it is located. It also depends on whether your child has damage to deeper tissues. Your child may need any of the following:
- Pressure may be applied to your child's wound to stop bleeding.
- Wound cleaning may be needed to remove dirt or debris. This will decrease the risk for infection. Your child's healthcare provider may need to look inside your child's laceration for foreign objects. The provider may give your child medicine to numb the area and decrease pain. The provider may also give your child medicine to help him or her relax.
- Wound closure with stitches, staples, tissue glue, or medical strips may be needed. These may help the wound heal and prevent infection. Your child's provider may give him or her medicine to numb the area and decrease pain. The provider may also give your child medicine to help him or her relax. Stitches may decrease the amount of scarring your child has. Some lacerations may heal better without stitches.
- Medicine to treat pain or prevent infection may be given. Your child may need a tetanus shot. Wounds at high risk for tetanus infection include wounds caused by a bite, or that contain dirt. Your child may need a tetanus shot within 72 hours of getting a laceration. Tell your child's healthcare provider if your child has had the tetanus vaccine or a booster within the last 5 years.
- Surgery may be needed if your child's laceration needs a lot of cleaning or removal of foreign objects.
Care for your child's wound as directed:
- Your child's wound should not get wet until his or her healthcare provider says it is okay. Do not soak your child's wound in water. Do not allow your child to swim until his or her healthcare provider says it is okay. Carefully wash around the wound with soap and water. You may let soap and water run over the wound. Gently pat the area dry or allow it to air dry.
- Change your child's bandages when they get wet, dirty, or after washing. Apply new, clean bandages as directed. Do not apply elastic bandages or tape too tight. Do not put powders or lotions over your child's wound.
- Apply antibiotic ointment as directed. You may be told to apply antibiotic ointment on your child's wound if he or she has stitches. If your child has strips of tape over the wound, let them dry up and fall off on their own. If they do not fall off within 14 days, gently remove them. If your child has glue over the wound, do not remove or pick at it when it starts to heal and itches.
- Check your child's wound every day for signs of infection such as swelling, redness, or pus.
- Apply ice on your child's wound for 15 to 20 minutes every hour or as directed. Use an ice pack or put crushed ice in a plastic bag. Cover the ice pack with a towel before applying it to the wound. Ice helps prevent tissue damage and decreases swelling and pain.
- Elevate your child's injured area above the level of his or her heart, if possible, as often as you can. This will help decrease swelling and pain. Prop the injured area on pillows or blankets to keep it elevated comfortably.
- Help your child use a splint as directed. A splint may be used for lacerations over joints or areas of your child's body that bend. A splint will decrease movement and stress on your child's wound. It may also help it heal faster. Ask your child's healthcare provider how to apply and remove a splint.
- Decrease scarring of your child's wound by applying ointments as directed. Ask your provider when it is okay to apply ointments. You may need to wait until your child's wound is healed. Ask which ointment to buy and how often to use it. After your child's wound is healed, use sunscreen over the area when he or she is out in the sun. You should do this for at least 6 months to 1 year after your child's injury.
Follow up with your child's doctor as directed:
Your child will need to return in 3 to 14 days if he or she has stitches or staples so they can be removed. Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.
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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
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