When do I worry about a cut?

 

Cuts on the face bleed profusely, even from a small wound, so be sure to clean the wound and assess the size of it.  If a wound is deep or long, or if it continues to bleed, it may need stitches.  To make an assessment of depth, you can try to push the sides of the wound together.  If there is a big difference when you put pressure to the edges (where it is a wide cut without pressure and a narrow cut with pressure), it is likely that it will need stitches.  They will need to go to the emergency room to have the wound assessed.

 

Could my child have a broken bone?

 

Falls sometimes cause sprains and strains as well as broken bones.  If your child has any deformity of a limb, or a bone protruding from the skin, go to the emergency room.  If there is pain but the area looks normal, try to make your child comfortable.  Give pain medications, get them to rest and elevate the injured part.  Ice packs can be applied.  As long as you get your child comfortable, call the office for an appointment.  If you cannot get your child comfortable, despite these measures, go to the emergency room or call the Doctor on call.