Bledidoc Answers
My child has been exposed to chemicals: how do I react?

In case the child is wounded, you should follow the below steps:

  1. Calm your child.
  2. Apply pressure with a clean cloth for several minutes to stop the bleeding.
  3. Wash your hands.
  4. Wash the cut area well with soap and water. Do not scrub the wound. Remove any dirt particles from the area and let the water run over it for several minutes. A dirty cut or scrape that is not fully cleaned can cause an infection.
  5. For a lot of bleeding, press on the wound for 5 to 10 minutes with a clean cloth. Do not stop to look at the cut. If the cloth becomes soaked with blood, put a new one on the top of the old cloth. Do not lift the first cloth.
  6. Apply an antiseptic lotion or cream.
  7. Cover the area with an adhesive bandage on the gauze pad. Change the dressing often.
  8. Check the area daily and keep it clean and dry.
  9. Don’t blow on the wound. This can cause germs to grow.
  10. Use a sunscreen with SPF ≥15 on healed cuts and wounds to prevent scrapping.1
  11. Ask your paediatrician about your immunization status and give tetanus prophylaxis if needed.2

Dr. Kamal Saad

Paediatrician

 

1https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=cuts-and-wounds-of-the-face-90-P02803
Stanford school of Medicine: Stanford children’s health
2Nelson Textbook of Paediatrics, Stephens Arnon P. 953



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