Bumps and Boo boos: the most common lacerations in kiddos

Typical scenario: A toddler having a blast at the ice cream shop runs straight into a table edge! Ouch! There is a small cut to the forehead. It’s 9:00pm and the last thing anyone wants to do is take a two year old to the ER past bedtime. Thankfully House Calls for Kids had a provider at their home in under 45min and the little one glued and bandaged with minimal tears! Smiles, thank yous and a sticker for being so brave! The family never left their home! They stayed dry during the torrential downpour, and now their little one is ready for bed. Wins all around!

I always say the right of passage for kiddos is a laceration to either the eyebrow, forehead, chin or all of the above! Toddlers are especially prone to running into objects and losing their balance and falling down! Why is this? This is mostly due to the physical stature of little ones. Their heads are typically proportionally larger than  their bodies, making it easier for them to lose their balance. 

Their physical abilities are constantly changing which has an impact on their coordination and stability. We have all seen the darling wobbly penguin walk. Pair this lack of coordination with the fact that toddlers (and larger kiddos) tend to be daredevils! Climbing, jumping, walking off platforms at the playground! They are constantly testing the limits of gravity and their own physicals abilities. 

It’s because of this, that when they do fall, they tend to injure their face or head. Typically there is a lot of bleeding when there is a laceration to the face or head. This is because there are tons of tiny blood vessels feeding nutrient rich blood to this area! It can often look like a massacre, but don’t be alarmed! Apply direct pressure and take a deep breath. Bonus! Because of the many tiny blood vessels, scalps and faces tend to heal very quickly! 

Many small cuts can be repaired with Dermabond (glue) and steristrips (surgical grade bandaids). This is a relatively quick and easy procedure that can easily be done in the comfort of your home, with a little holding help from mom or dad. Cuts on the scalp are typically closed with staples (specially made for skin!). These are quick to put in and can be removed easily within 5-7 days! Large cuts may require stitches. The good news is with our telemedicine service, a provider can assess your child right away and determine the best plan of care!