Home Care Instructions for Pediatric Laceration
Parents should maintain good wound hygiene, monitor for signs of infection (increased redness, swelling, warmth, pus, fever), and return immediately if breathing difficulties develop or the wound shows no improvement within 10-14 days. 1, 2
Immediate Home Care
Wound Care and Hygiene
- Keep the wound clean by gently cleaning the area with clean water daily 1, 2
- Avoid scrubbing or aggressive manipulation of the repair site 3
- Pat dry gently after cleaning 3
Dietary Modifications
- Maintain a soft diet for 10 days following the injury 1, 2
- Avoid hard, sharp, or irritating foods that could disrupt healing 1, 2
- For intraoral injuries, restrict pacifier or digit sucking for the first 10 days 1, 2
Activity Restrictions
- Avoid activities that could re-injure the wound 4
- For wounds near joints or extensive lacerations, limit movement of the affected area 5
- Keep the wound protected from dirt and contamination 3
Warning Signs Requiring Immediate Medical Attention
Signs of Infection
Parents must watch for and return immediately if any of these develop:
- Increased redness, swelling, or warmth around the wound 1, 2, 6
- Purulent (pus) drainage from the wound 1, 2, 6
- Fever or systemic symptoms 2, 6
- Increased pain beyond the first 24-48 hours 1, 6
- Gingival swelling (for facial/oral injuries) 1, 2
Other Urgent Concerns
- Breathing difficulties (though unlikely with simple lacerations, this requires urgent evaluation) 2, 6
- Extensive facial swelling 6
- Wound separation or dehiscence 4
- Delayed healing beyond 10-14 days 1, 6
- Signs the wound is not improving as expected 1, 6
Follow-Up Care
Routine Monitoring
- Examine the wound daily for the warning signs listed above 1, 2
- The wound should show progressive improvement over 10-14 days 1, 6
- Most simple lacerations heal without complications when proper care is maintained 1
Suture Removal (if applicable)
- Non-absorbable sutures require removal at an interval determined by wound location and healing progress 4
- Return as instructed by the treating physician for suture removal 5
- Do not attempt to remove sutures at home 5
Important Considerations
Pain Management
- Use pain medication as prescribed or recommended by the treating physician 7
- Pain should gradually decrease over the first few days 1
- Increasing pain may indicate infection or complication 1, 6
Tetanus Prophylaxis
- Ensure the child's tetanus immunization is up to date 3, 4
- If tetanus prophylaxis was given in the emergency department, no additional action is needed 3
When to Call the Doctor
Contact your physician if: