Care Advice
Small Cuts, Scratches or Scrapes Treatment:
- For any bleeding, put direct pressure on the wound. Use a gauze pad or clean cloth. Press for 10 minutes or until the bleeding has stopped.
- Wash the wound with soap and water for 5 minutes. Protect the eye with a clean cloth.
- For cuts or scrapes, use an antibiotic ointment (such as Polysporin). No prescription is needed. Put it on the cut 3 times a day. Do this for 3 days.
- Cover large scrapes with a bandage. Change daily.
Swelling or Bruises with Intact Skin (including a Black Eye) Treatment:
- Put a cold pack or ice wrapped in a wet cloth on the eye. Do this for 20 minutes. This will help stop the bleeding and swelling. Repeat as needed.
- A black eye usually takes 1 to 2 days to occur.
- A flame-shaped bruise of the white of the eyeball is also common.
- After 48 hours, use a warm wet cloth for 10 minutes. Do this 3 times per day. Reason: to help reabsorb the blood.
Pain Medicine:
- To help with the pain, give an acetaminophen product (such as Tylenol).
- Another choice is an ibuprofen product (such as Advil).
- Use as needed.
What to Expect:
- Minor cuts and scratches, as well as bruises, are harmless.
- They last about 2 weeks.
- They do not need any medicine to help them go away.
Call Your Doctor If:
- Pain becomes severe
- Changes in vision
- You think your child needs to be seen
- Your child becomes worse
Remember! Contact your doctor if you or your child develop any "Contact Your Doctor" symptoms.