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A Child with a Scraped Knee
First Aid and Safety Photos

By Vincent Iannelli, M.D., About.com Guide

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

All parents would benefit from learning basic first aid on how to treat a scraped knee.
A Child with a Scraped Knee

A Child with a Scraped Knee

Photo (c) Suzanne Tucker
A scraped knee might look like a minor injury, but it can be painful and may seem like major trauma to your child, depending on how sensitive he is.

Like other minor wounds, when treating a scraped knee, you should first stop any bleeding by applying pressure to the wound with a bandage or clean cloth. Next, rinse the wound with water and wash the area around the wound with soap and water. Try to remove any dirt, rocks, or other debris from the wound.

Lastly, apply an antibiotic ointment to the wound and cover it with a bandaid or other dressing.

If the wound can't easily be cleaned or begins to show signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, or drainage, then be sure to see your pediatrician.

What about hydrogen peroxide? Remember that experts no longer recommend that you apply hydrogen peroxide to a wound anymore, as it is now believed that it can actually delay healing.

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