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"Ouch I fell over" - Minor cuts and grazes 

 
"Ouch! I fell over!" 
These are words that we parents are more likely to hear as the weather improves and our children spend more time playing outside. 
 
As younger children are learning to walk they are particularly prone to cuts and grazes as they often trip up and fall over things. Grazes in older children often occur when taking part in sports or other activities, but would you know how to correctly care for a child with a grazed knee? 
 
Grazes often occur when children fall with the hands and knees being the most common places to injure. 
 
With minor bleeding from cuts and grazes the emphasis is on keeping the wound clean and to control any blood loss. 
 
To dress a cut or graze at home: 
 
Sit the child down. If they feel weak or unsteady, position them on the floor. 
Wash and dry your hands thoroughly and wear disposable gloves 
Examine the wound 
Clean the wound under running tap water or with sterile non-alcoholic wipes carefully removing any grit or dirt. Do not remove any embedded object. 
Pat the area dry with a sterile gauze 
Cover with a sterile dressing or plaster 
If there are any remaining foreign objects in the wound such as gravel or dirt seek medical attention 
 
Although most cuts and grazes are not serious you should always check for any signs of infection for the first few days after the injury occurred. Signs of infection include redness and swelling. If you suspect that your child’s injury has become infected take them to your GP. 
 
If your child has a cut that will not stop bleeding or is gaping open you will need to take them to A&E. 
 
You can't stop children from running around and having fun. Accidents happen! But you can be prepared to treat them accordingly when they do take a tumble 
 
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