5 easy steps to becoming a boo-boo fixing pro

Part of childhood is getting scrapes, cuts, and minor injuries. And while it can be hard to see your little one upset and hurt, handling the actual injury is easier than you think. But you’re probably doing it wrong :)

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Here are 5 easy steps to becoming a pro at fixing boo-boos, and a reminder of some things to avoid (that may surprise you!) Remember, I have a separate post on how to handle sunburns here, as well as posts on soothing rashes from eczema, poison ivy, and hand/foot/mouth.

First: what not to do

Some of these may surprise you! For details on why to avoid these things, head over to my instagram profile and search for the true/false

• Use hydrogen peroxide

  • Hydrogen peroxide is a great antiseptic that kills bacteria, viruses , fungi -- and other cells, including our own healing tissue. Putting this on a wound can actually damage the tissue and delay healing. It also hurts!

• Use neosporin

  • Neosporin is a topical antibiotic that used to be recommended for "all minor wounds" but there isn't really data that suggests that it credibly prevents infection. In fact, with repeated use, Neosporin and other similar topical antibiotics can lead to allergic reactions which interferes with healing.

• Air out the wound

  • Wounds heal best when they are kept moist. Keeping them open so they can "dry out" does not help them heal faster, and can actually increase the risk of infection and reinjury.

Okay, so what do you do instead?

1. Apply Pressure

   • If the wound is actively bleeding, apply pressure using a sterile bandage or clean cloth evenly.

   • If you can, elevate the bleeding body part above the level of the heart to help bleeding stop faster.

2. Clean

   • Dirty wounds are more likely to become infected.

   • Rinse the wound out using cool running water and a mild soap for 5 minutes to try to remove debris. You can use a shower head to help direct the stream for larger wounds or those in awkward locations.

   • After cleaning, pat dry with a clean washcloth (no rubbing).

3. Inspect

   • Take a close look at the wound to make sure there are no foreign bodies within it. Once it is clean, you can also make a better assessment of the depth and severity of the injury.

4. Protect

   • Protect the wound with a layer of petroleum jelly (vaseline is fine). You do not need neosporin or anything else.

   • Use a non-adherent gauze or bandaid over the petroleum jelly. Keep the covering clean and change it daily.

5. Monitor for infection

   • Monitor closely daily to make sure the wound is healing and not showing signs of infection.

What about honey?

The data on Medical Grade Honey (not the same stuff in your pantry - medical grade honey is sterilized!!) is a little mixed, which may be because controlled studies are hard to do. It does seem like medical grade Manuka honey has been shown to help heal some partial thickness burns and other wounds (PMID: 25742878) but there isn't great data for routine cuts and scrapes.

The Pediatrician Mom Tip: to be honest, I don’t think the honey is needed!

When to call the pediatrician

This is not a comprehensive list. In general, always err on the side of calling your pediatrician if you have any concerns about your child. There is a lot to be said for a parent’s gut instinct, and I promise: your pediatrician would rather you called!

If your child is not improving within a few days, or if they seem to be getting worse, call your pediatrician. Other concerning symptoms include:

• Large or gaping wounds, especially if >0.5 inch on body (or 0.25 inch on face) or appear to be deep

• If you are unable to stop the bleeding despite 5 minutes of sustained pressure (or if bleeding stops then restarts)

• Concern about an underlying more significant injury, such as a fracture

• Wounds in sensitive areas (such as the face, genitals)

• Bites that break the skin (human or animal)

• Signs of a skin infection (eg. increased redness, swelling, pus, warmth, pain)

• Injuries caused by rusty objects, electrical injury, burns or puncture wounds or with visible foreign bodies

• Very uncomfortable, looking/acting sick, or any systemic symptoms (eg. fever, chills, light-headedness or altered mental status, weakness, nausea or vomiting, headache)

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Teach your child that minor injuries are part of life. Learning to deal with them like a pro allows you to focus on the more important lesson we should be teaching our children: that falling down is a part of the process, and you have to get up and try again.