Treating Bumps, Bruises, and Scrapes

Children are curious, adventurous and often mischievous, and with that comes the inevitable falls, knocks, tumbles, scrapes and grazes. Whether it be a grazed knee from falling over on the playground, a bump on the head from a ‘roly-poly’ tumble, or a purple bruise after a football game, parents, carers and teachers must know how to respond fast and accurately to these potential injuries. 

Understanding the correct first aid techniques for bruises, grazes and cuts is essential not only to help ease a child’s discomfort and pain, but also to greatly reduce the risk of infection and further complications. Today, we will be exploring the correct first aid treatment of the most common children’s injuries, give detailed insight into first aid wound care, as well as explaining why having the right first aid kits and first aid supplies at the ready is so highly important.

Understanding bruises and how they heal

A bruise, or medically known as a contusion, happens when small blood vessels under the skin break after a knock or impact, which causes a small amount of blood to leak and pool under the skin’s surface. This leads to the discolouration of the skin that changes through the stages of bruising: typically being red or purplish at first, and then blue, green, yellow and finally fading as the body reabsorbs the blood. Parents and carers often ask, “how long do bruises last?”; most children’s bruises can heal within 1–2 weeks, although healing time can vary depending on the severity of the impact and the child’s overall health.

While bruises are mostly harmless, knowing how to treat a bruise correctly and quickly is important. Cold compression from instant ice packs applied within the first 24 hours of sustaining a bruise can greatly help to reduce bruising and swelling. Rest, elevation, and gentle care all help to aid a quick recovery. However, there are also dangerous types of bruises that need further medical attention, such as unexplained bruising, very large or painful bruises, or bruising that occurs in unusual places such as the abdomen or behind the ears. These bruise types could indicate underlying medical conditions or more serious trauma that requires the attention of a medical professional.

For families, keeping a well stocked first aid kit allows you to have the basic first aid supplies on standby, such as instant ice packs and plasters, ready for any minor injury your child may sustain.

Treating grazes and scrapes

Grazes are among the one of the most common children’s injuries, which is typically gained from a fall on a hard surface, such as a playground. A graze wound exposes the top layer of skin and can be painful, especially for a young child, due to the number of nerve endings. Parents often ask, “how long does a graze take to heal?” or “how to heal grazes quickly”. Minor grazes on knees or elbows can take between 7 and 10 days to heal if cared for quickly and accurately.

The correct treatment process for a graze is to first stop any bleeding by applying gentle pressure with a clean dressing or cloth. Once the bleeding has stopped, the next step is to gently clean the wound. This should always be done using clean water to remove any dirt or debris from the graze, which will be common in a playground tumble, followed by applying a sterile dressing or plaster to help protect against infection. Antiseptic wipes or creams, available in many first aid boxes, can also help to prevent an infected graze. 

Cuts: From minor to more serious

Cuts are another highly common occurrence in childhood. Most are superficial, however deeper cuts need very careful attention. A parent’s natural instinct may be to panic when a cut doesn’t stop bleeding, but calm, methodical actions are what makes all the difference. The NHS recommends applying firm, direct pressure with a sterile pad or dressing until the bleeding stops. If bleeding continues after 10 minutes of pressure, further medical attention should be sought.

A clean, minor cut can normally be managed at home, if adequate first aid supplies are stored. The most important steps are to quickly control bleeding, clean the wound thoroughly, and cover the cut with an appropriate sterile plaster or dressing. Questions such as “how to heal cuts fast” come up often in first aid classes, and the answer always comes down to accurate pressure, cleanliness and protection of the cut. If a wound does show any signs of being an infected cut, such as redness, swelling, pus, or pain, then professional medical treatment is required.

Preventing infections and promoting healing

One of the biggest risks when it comes to cuts and bruises with children is infection. An infected cut or infected graze can delay the healing process, and can even cause serious complications if left untreated. Parents, carers and teachers must look out for any warning signs such as any increased pain throughout the healing process, spreading redness across and around the wound, heat around the wound or any discharge. Making sure that wounds are adequately cleaned, dressed, and checked regularly can greatly help to reduce this risk.

Modern first aid equipment, such as waterproof plasters, child-friendly dressings and antiseptic wipes, make effective wound care a lot simpler for parents. Having a family-ready first aid kit at home, in the car, or in school bags helps to make sure that even outdoor play or holidays don’t leave children unprotected from these common injuries. 

When should I seek medical attention?

While cuts and bruises in children tend to be common and minor, there may come times when parents should seek medical help. If a cut won’t stop bleeding despite pressure; a wound that is very deep or gaping may require stitches; infected cuts and grazes; large or unexplained bruises, or those accompanied by swelling and extreme pain, should also be examined. Similarly, wounds or injuries involving the eyes, head or abdomen must never be ignored, especially for a child, and will require professional medical help.

Parents should also remember that while first aid for bruises and grazes is simple, knowing when an injury is beyond just home care is a very important part of first aid. Medical professionals can provide further treatment, such as antibiotics for infected wounds or advanced imaging for deeper injuries.

Why is preparation the best first aid?

Children can be brave and resilient, but their overall safety and wellbeing depends on parents being well prepared. Every home, school and childcare provider should keep fully stocked first aid kits, as well as additional first aid equipment, ready for any accident life may throw. Training parents and carers in how to treat bruises, grazes and cuts helps to ensure confidence in responding not only quickly, but effectively.

The reality is bumps, bruises, grazes and scrapes will always be part of growing up. But with the adequate knowledge, optimal preparation and best first aid supplies, those common childhood injuries can be treated calmly, quickly and safely.