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Kids Health Info

Cuts, grazes, and lacerations

  • Key points

    • Cuts, grazes, and lacerations are all types of injuries that split the skin open.
    • If your child has an open wound, stop the bleeding by applying pressure, then clean it and cover it with a bandage or dressing.
    • Call an ambulance (000) immediately if your child’s wound is spurting blood or has something sticking out of it.
    • Seek urgent medical attention if your child’s wound is from a human or animal bite, or it will not stop bleeding.
    • As your child’s wound heals, watch for signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, ooze, pus, or pain that does not get better with pain-relief medicine.
    • Take your child to see their doctor if their wound shows signs of infection.

    What are cuts, grazes, and lacerations?

    Cuts, grazes, and lacerations are all types of injuries that split the skin open. They are commonly called open wounds.

    • Cuts = Openings in the skin, usually from sharp objects, such as a knife.
    • Grazes (also called abrasions) = Scrapes that tear or break the skin, usually from friction (rubbing), such as falling over on concrete.
    • Lacerations = Deep openings in the skin caused by a hard knock or bump; often from falls.

    Cuts, grazes, and lacerations can happen almost anywhere on the body. Depending on the area affected and how serious the wound is, it may bleed a little or a lot.

    Why do children get more wounds?

    It is extremely common for children to get cuts, grazes, and lacerations. Children have thinner skin that injures more easily, but they are also very active. Young children often fall or bump into things when they are learning to walk or grab sharp items without realising the danger. Older children and teens may get wounds from playing sports and other physical activities.

    First aid for wounds

    The most important thing to do if your child gets a wound is to stop the bleeding.

    Cuts and grazes

    1. Try to keep your child calm and reassure them you are there to help.
    2. Use a clean, dry cloth to apply firm pressure directly to the wound.
    3. If the wound is on an arm or leg, lift the limb above the level of the heart while applying pressure. This will help to slow the flow of blood.
    4. Keep applying pressure for at least five minutes. Then, gently remove the cloth to see if it is still bleeding. Re-apply pressure if the bleeding continues.
    5. Once the bleeding has stopped, clean the wound with running water.
      • Do not scrub the wound.
      • Avoid using antiseptic creams on cuts and grazes; they clean the surrounding skin, but can irritate the wound, cause pain, and delay healing.
    6. Cover the wound with a suitable dressing. A non-stick dressing is a good option for grazes. A regular sticky bandage or plaster works for most cuts; just avoid putting the sticky part onto the cut.
      • You could apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly to the top of the wound, but you do not need to use an antiseptic cream or ointment.
    7. If the wound is causing your child pain, you can give them pain-relief medicine, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen.

    More serious wounds

    Your child may need medical care from a health professional if their wound:

    • bleeds through the cloth
    • is very deep or large
    • contains dirt or foreign material
    • is caused by a bite
    • still bleeds after fifteen minutes of pressure
    • is in a sensitive place, such as on or near the eye or genitals.

    Follow the first aid steps above but keep applying pressure on the wound to stop bleeding until you get help – no matter how much time passes.

    Child with infected wound on eyelid; the eye area is red, swollen, and the wound is oozing pus

    Figure one: Child with an infected wound on their eyelid. This is a sensitive area that needs medical care.

    Call an ambulance (000) immediately if the wound is spurting blood or has something sticking out of it, such as a shard of glass. Do not try and remove anything sticking out of a wound; apply pressure to the wound outside the object.

    How to care for healing wounds at home

    Wounds heal over time. Some take longer than others, based on their size, severity, and location on the body.

    • Change the dressing or bandage on your child’s wound whenever it gets wet or dirty.
    • Remove the dressing or bandage after three to five days.
    • Try to stop your child from picking at scabs or dry blood while the wound heals. This can delay the healing process and increase the risk of infection.
    • Watch for signs of infection as the wound heals, such as redness, swelling, ooze, pus, or pain that does not get better with pain-relief medicine. It may also smell and cause a fever (temperature of 38°C or more).

    If you are worried that your child’s wound is not healing well or seems to be taking a long time to get better, it is best to speak with their doctor.

    When to get help

    Call an ambulance (000) if:
    • your child’s wound is spurting blood.
      • apply pressure to the wound while you wait for the ambulance.
    • your child’s wound has something sticking out of it, such as a shard of glass.
    • your child has lost a lot of blood and is very drowsy or unconsciousness.

    Go to a hospital if:
    • your child’s wound keeps bleeding a lot after applying pressure for 15 minutes.
    • your child’s wound is very deep.
    • your child’s wound causes more pain than expected.
    • your child’s wound is from a human or animal bite.
    • your child’s wound is gaping open – even if you have controlled the bleeding.

      See a doctor or health professional if:
      • your child’s wound has something stuck in it that you cannot get out, such as dirt or gravel.
      • your child has not had a tetanus vaccine in the last five years.
        • this vaccine protects against the dangerous bacteria Clostridium tetani that lives in soil, dust, and animal manure.
      • your child’s wound shows signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, ooze, pus, fever (temperature of 38°C or more), or pain that does not get better with pain-relief medicine.
      • your child’s wound seems to be taking a long time to heal.

      Look after your child at home if:
      • their wound is small and is not bleeding much.
      • pain-relief medicine helps your child’s pain.
      • their wound is healing as expected.

      Common questions about cuts, grazes and lacerations

      Does my child’s wound need glue or stitches?

      Many wounds will heal on their own without glue or stitches. As a guide, your child’s wound may need glue or stitches if it is open, deep, large, bleeding a lot or in an area under tension, such as a joint.

      If you are not sure whether your child’s wound needs glue or stitches, it is best to speak with a health professional. 

      How long do I need to leave a dressing on my child’s wound?

      It is best to remove the bandage or dressing on your child’s wound after a couple of days. This will help it to heal.

      How can I prevent my child’s wound from leaving a scar?

      All wounds leave a scar. Most change from red or purple to pale pink before eventually fading to white or becoming almost invisible. However, there are some things you can do to help wound healing.

      It is usually best to keep your child’s wound covered with a bandage or dressing for the first few days. Try to stop your child from scratching it, too. Ensure your child eats a nutritious diet; their body will use these nutrients to help with healing. It is also important to protect the wound with sunscreen and clothing (or a hat) to shield it from the sun, as UV light makes scars darker in colour.

      Why do some parts of the body bleed more than others?

      Certain parts of the body have a higher blood supply than others. For example, the tongue and lips will often bleed very heavily when cut. However, areas with higher blood supply also tend to heal faster.

      Should I use antiseptic on my child’s open wound?

      In most cases, you only need to clean your child’s wound with running water. This is because antiseptic products can irritate wounds, cause pain, and in some cases, delay healing. Strong antiseptic solutions such as iodine and hydrogen peroxide can damage the wound tissue.

      Only use an antiseptic solution on your child’s wound if a health professional suggests it. They may do this if the wound is an area at higher risk of infection.

      Can my child still go to childcare or school if they have had stitches?

      Your child can go to childcare or school with wound glue or stitches, as long as they are not in much pain. It is best to tell your child’s educators about the wound. You may want to cover it with loose, non-stick dressing.

      Your child should avoid rough play while they are healing, as this may reopen the wound.

      For more information


      Developed by The Royal Children’s Hospital Emergency department. We acknowledge the input of RCH consumers and carers.

      Reviewed August 2026

      Please always seek the most recent advice from a registered and practising clinician.


    Disclaimer

    This information is intended to support, not replace, discussion with your doctor or healthcare professionals. The authors of these consumer health information handouts have made a considerable effort to ensure the information is accurate, up to date and easy to understand. The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne accepts no responsibility for any inaccuracies, information perceived as misleading, or the success of any treatment regimen detailed in these handouts. Information contained in the handouts is updated regularly and therefore you should always check you are referring to the most recent version of the handout. The onus is on you, the user, to ensure that you have downloaded the most up-to-date version of a consumer health information handout.

    Updated July 2025

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