What should I do if my child’s wound becomes festered?

In life, we often suffer from wounds of varying sizes, such as abrasions, cuts, scratches, falls, burns, scalds, etc. Different wound treatment methods are also different. Improper treatment will cause the wound to fester, especially in the summer when the temperature is relatively high. It is easy to become inflamed and fester. So when a child’s wound becomes inflamed and fester, how should it be treated?

1. Abrasions: Abrasions are the most common type of skin surface injuries and are usually minor. If there is dirt on the wound, wash it with clean water and soap first, then cover the wound with sterile gauze. If the wound is large or bleeding does not stop, go to the hospital for treatment as soon as possible. Band-aids are generally used for emergency treatment and have no disinfecting effect. Iodine tincture should not be used on the head because it contains pigments. 30% hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, etc. can be used, but they are somewhat irritating.

2. Stab wounds: Stab wounds are characterized by small skin wounds, but they often cause deep tissue damage. Due to poor drainage, they are prone to secondary suppurative infection or tetanus. Do not apply pressure immediately if bleeding is caused by a puncture wound. Bleeding can remove dirty foreign objects and reduce the chance of infection. Stab wounds generally require going to the hospital for an injection of anti-tetanus medication.

3. Cuts: The cut edges are neat and the damage to the surrounding tissues is relatively light. If the wound is superficial and clean, normal washing is sufficient; if there is heavy bleeding, use your fingers or palms to directly press the wound (the area without foreign objects) to control the bleeding, apply pressure for about 5 to 15 minutes, and then bandage it properly after the bleeding stops. Wounds caused by glass cuts should be observed carefully. If foreign objects are suspected, they can be rinsed repeatedly with clean water. If foreign objects are found embedded in the wound or the wound is contaminated, go to the hospital for treatment as soon as possible.

4. Bites and stings: Cat and dog scratches and bites must not be ignored. Immediately and thoroughly flushing on the spot is the key to the success of treatment. For deeper wounds, it is advisable to clean the wounds, completely remove foreign matter and necrotic tissue, and flush them with large amounts of saline, chlorhexidine solution, hydrogen peroxide, etc. In principle, the wounds do not need to be sutured. At the same time, antibiotics, anti-rabies vaccines and tetanus antitoxin should be used.

The article introduces some methods for treating wounds that have become festering. Different wounds require different treatment methods. Therefore, when treating the wound, you must first distinguish the type and category of your wound before proceeding with treatment. In summer, keep the wound breathable and do not cover it with gauze or Band-Aids, as this can easily cause inflammation and suppuration.