Gentle Ways to Treat Childhood Grazes
Posted on: 22 February 2022
Bumps and scrapes are a natural part of life for little ones. Fortunately, their pain is usually short-lived but you'll still need to do what you can to treat the wound. Here are some gentle ways to treat your little one's grazes.
Clean With Warm Water
Regardless of what your child grazed themselves on, there's a chance there's some dirt in there. The safest way to remove the dirt is by running some warm water across it. If you notice that there's any debris in there, try to gently dislodge it. Don't force the dirt out, though. If you're struggling to remove anything, it's better to speak to a healthcare professional for advice. Always make sure you clean your hands before touching a wound too.
Try an Antiseptic Solution
Unfortunately, it isn't always possible to see all dirt that's in a wound or graze. To make sure you're covering all your bases and keeping your little one safe, try using an antiseptic balm. If you prefer to use natural alternatives, there are plenty available. Prioritise those that feature ingredients such as tea tree oil or coconut oil. Both have natural antibacterial properties, so they can tackle hidden dirt while remaining gentle on your child's skin.
Protect it With a Bandaid
One of the fastest ways to promote wound healing is to protect the area using a bandaid. Whether your child has sensitive skin or not, you may want to use sensitive skin bandaids. A bandaid's first priority is to keep wounds and grazes free from external bacteria. In doing so, they reduce the risk of infection and give your child's immune system a chance to focus on the healing process. By using a sensitive skin bandaid you reduce the risk of the skin around the graze becoming irritated. As a result, your child is less likely to scratch at the area and make the wound worse. They're also more likely to keep the bandaid on until the wound heals.
Look for Signs of Infection
It's unusual for a simple childhood wound to become infected. However, it's important to know the signs of infection anyway. Wounds that become hot, smell pungent or become increasingly red may be infected. If this happens to your child, seek medical advice to see if they need further attention. But with the right wound care from the moment the graze appears, it's usually possible to keep infections at bay.
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