General Laceration (Child)

A laceration is a cut through the skin. If it is deep, it may need stitches or staples to close the wound so it can heal. Minor cuts may be closed with surgical tape or skin glue. 

X-rays may be done if something may have entered the skin through the cut, such as glass or rocks. Your child may also need a tetanus shot if he or she is not up-to-date on this vaccination.

Home care

• The healthcare provider may prescribe an antibiotic cream or ointment to prevent infection. Don't stop using this medicine until the prescribed course is finished or the healthcare provider tells you to stop.
• The healthcare provider may prescribe medicines for pain. Follow instructions for giving them to your child.
• Keep the wound clean and dry. Don't let the wound get wet until you are told it is OK to do so.
• If a bandage was applied, leave it in place for the first 24 hours. Then change it every 24 hours or as directed. If it becomes wet or dirty, replace it sooner. Gently pat the wound dry with a clean cloth. Then put on a clean, dry bandage.
• Caring for sutures or staples: 
  • Once you no longer need to keep them dry, clean the wound daily.
  • First, remove the bandage. Then wash the area gently with soap and warm water, or as directed by the healthcare provider.
  • Use a wet cotton swab to loosen and remove any blood or crust that forms.
  • After cleaning, apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment if advised.
  • Put on a new bandage unless you are told not to.
• Caring for skin glue: 
  • Don’t put apply liquid, ointment, or cream on the wound while the glue is in place.
  • Have your child avoid activities that cause heavy sweating.
  • Protect the wound from sunlight.
  • Keep your child from scratching, rubbing, or picking at the adhesive film.
  • Don't place tape directly over the film. 
  • The glue should peel off within 5 to 10 days. 
• Caring for surgical tape: 
  • Keep the area dry. If it gets wet, blot it dry with a clean towel.
  • Surgical tape usually falls off within 7 to 10 days. If it has not fallen off after 10 days, you can take it off yourself. Put mineral oil or petroleum jelly on a cotton ball and gently rub the tape until it is removed.
• Once the wound can get wet, the child may shower. The wound should not be soaked in water (no tub baths or swimming)
• Even with proper treatment, a wound infection may sometimes occur. Check the wound daily for signs of infection listed below.
• UV light from the sun or tanning beds will "stain" wounds and make the scar stand out.  Be sure to apply sun screen once the wound heals to lessen the visibility of the scar.

Follow-up care

Follow up with your child's healthcare provider as advised. Ask the healthcare provider how long sutures should be left in place. Be sure to bring the child back for suture removal as directed. If dissolving stitches were used in the mouth, these should fall out or dissolve without the need for removal. If tape closures were used, you may remove them yourself when the healthcare provider recommends if they have not fallen off on their own. If skin glue was used, the film will wear off by itself.

Special note to parents

Healthcare providers are trained to see injuries such as this in young children as a sign of possible abuse. You may be asked questions about how your child was injured. Healthcare providers are required by law to ask you these questions. This is done to protect your child. Please try to be patient.

When to seek medical advice

Call the child's healthcare provider for any of the following:

• Wound bleeding is not controlled by direct pressure
• Signs of infection occur: Increasing pain in the wound, increasing wound redness or swelling, or pus or bad odor coming from the wound
• Fever of 100.4°F (38.ºC) or higher or as directed by the child's healthcare provider
• Stitches or staples come apart or fall out or surgical tape falls off before 7 days
• Wound edges re-open
• Wound changes colors
• Numbness around the wound 
• Decreased movement occurs around the injured area