And so my goal for today is to talk a little bit about pediatric finger fractures and lacerations and um um and, you know, mostly want to focus on the injuries that are often and um missed or, or often take a while to get, get further care as a wide variety or wide majority of these cases can be treated with, you know, with not non operatively with minimal intervention. Learn how appropriate primary care can preserve dexterity. His tips cover when nonsurgical treatment should suffice as well as subtle signs that indicate a need for emergency care or prompt assessment from a hand surgeon (including how finger positions and skin tone changes can reveal tendon or nerve damage). See your GP if you notice these signs, especially if the infected area looks like it’s getting bigger.With a focus on often-missed injuries and the value of early detection, orthopedic surgeon Gopal Lalchandani, MD, describes his process of evaluating finger fractures and lacerations in children, using photos and X-ray images to illustrate. On children with darker skin, the skin might also look brown, purple or grey. On children with lighter skin, the skin might also look red. These signs include pain, swelling, warmth and pus. ![]() In the days after the injury, it’s important to watch the wound for signs of infection. The crust will eventually fall off in the shower or bath. If the crust breaks, the healing process has to start all over again, and there’s an increased risk of infection and scarring. Remind your child not to pick at the crust.When your child has a bath or shower, take off the dressing and let the water run over the wound.Avoid blowing on the wound because this can allow germs into the wound.After 2-3 days, leave the wound open to the air.Wash, moisturise and change the dressing daily to help the crust heal. ![]() Over the next few days, it’s important to keep the wound clean and help it to heal: Give your child some pain relief like paracetamol if they’re in pain or discomfort.Cover the wound with a sterile, non-stick dressing. Put a thin smear of plain moisturiser or petroleum jelly like Vaseline on it.This way, you’ll avoid getting any more dirt in the wound. Always wipe away from the wound, rather than wiping towards it.Cotton wool can leave fibres in the wound, so it’s better not to use it. Clean the surrounding skin with clean gauze or a hand towel soaked in warm water.This might sting, but it’ll help prevent infection. Use saline or a very diluted antiseptic solution to clean the wound.Put the affected area under cool running water to remove any dirt or small rocks. Clean the wound once bleeding has stopped.If the wound is still bleeding after 15 minutes, go to your GP or nearest hospital emergency department. If the wound is bleeding, apply firm pressure with a clean cloth to control the bleeding.Try to calm your child and tell them you’ll help them.Here’s how to treat cuts and abrasions at home: ![]() If the wound isn’t bleeding or is bleeding only a small amount, treat your child’s cuts and abrasions at home using your home first aid kit, following the steps below.Put pressure around the wound with a towel or something similar, and seek medical help. If the wound has an object sticking out of it, don’t try to remove it.If the bleeding stops, rinse the wound with water and cover it with a dressing or bandage. Seek medical help – go straight to your GP or a hospital emergency department or call 000. If the wound has blood spurting out of it, use a towel or something similar to put pressure on the wound.You can buy first aid kits from your local pharmacy or from providers like St John Ambulance. Make sure everyone in your family knows where it’s kept, and that everyone can get to it easily. Your first aid kit should be organised, well stocked and close by. It’s important to have a home first aid kit. You should also see a doctor if your child isn’t immunised against tetanus. large or deep and doesn’t stop bleeding, even when you apply firm pressure.You should also take your child to your GP or a hospital emergency department if the cut or abrasion is: Then call 000 for an ambulance or take your child to a hospital emergency department immediately. ![]() You can treat most minor abrasions and cuts at home.īut if there’s blood spurting out of your child’s wound or there’s an object like a stick sticking out of it, apply firm pressure to the wound. Does your child need to see a doctor about cuts and abrasions? Older children and teenagers often get cuts or abrasions playing sport and doing other kinds of physical activity. Young children often get them when they’re learning to walk and climb and they fall over or bump into things. An abrasion is a rub or tear on the surface of your skin.Ī cut is when something sharp separates your skin.
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