Question: An inevitable part of any adventure at my house is a fall, a scratch, a bump, or a gash—and a child’s cry for bandaids. I have to be honest, I am very stingy when it comes to handing these out! I don’t think my kids need them anywhere near as often as they believe, and I find a small box is so expensive I like to save them for dire boo boos! I wonder if I’m a little too reluctant to use them, though, so I thought I’d ask KidsHealth. Is there a rule of thumb for when to use an adhesive bandage? --Diana
From KidsHealth:
It’s amazing what a little bit of gauze and adhesive can do to make a sobbing child feel “all better.” Kids like wearing bandages not necessarily because they are a miraculous cure-all for the pain, but because they make them feel well cared for and comforted.
So whether your child’s boo-boo is an open cut or just a bruise, putting a bandage on it will probably help stop the tears from falling.
But, as a parent, it’s natural to question the validity of doling out bandages for scrapes that don’t quite break the skin. In this circumstance, a kiss and some comforting words may be all your child needs. If a bandage is called for but you’re worried about cost, consider buying generic-brand bandages or ones from the dollar store.
And don’t forget that in addition to providing comfort, bandages also serve a purpose. For cuts, they help protect the wound and keep the area clean. They also help hold antibiotic ointment in place, so that if germs do enter the wound they will not cause an infection. If a cut becomes infected, a bandage can help prevent the infection from spreading.
Before putting a bandage on an open wound, be sure to wash the area with lukewarm water. If the cut is bleeding, apply pressure until it stops with sterile gauze, a tissue, or clean cloth. Apply antibiotic ointment and cover with the bandage. Change the bandage daily or when it gets wet or dirty. Once the scab (a natural barrier) forms, a bandage is not necessary (though your child may think otherwise).
Call your doctor if the wound doesn’t heal, looks deep and won’t stop bleeding, or has pus, is red, or looks infected.
Related KidsHealth articles:
Household Safety: Preventing Cuts
First Aid Kit
Cuts Instruction Sheet
Bleeding
Where do you fall on the bandage issue? Are you stingy with them like I am? Or generous, like my kids wish I were? I'd love to hear in an informal sort of poll.