Most small cuts aren't a danger to kids. But larger cuts often need immediate medical treatment. Depending on the type of wound and its location, there's a risk of damage to tendons and nerves. What to Do: For Minor Bleeding From a Small Cut or Scrape: Rinse the wound thoroughly with water to clean out dirt and debris. Wash the wound with a mild soap and rinse well. (For minor wounds, you don't need to use an antiseptic solution to prevent infection, and some can cause allergic skin reactions.) Cover the wound with a sterile adhesive bandage or sterile gauze and adhesive tape. If the bandage gets wet, remove it and apply a new one. After the wound forms a scab, a bandage isn't needed. Check the wound daily. Call your doctor if the wound is red, swollen, tender, warm, or draining pus. For Bleeding From a Large or Deep Cut or Tear: Rinse off the wound with water so you can see it clearly and check its size. Place a piece of sterile gauze or a clean cloth over the entire wound. If available, wear clean latex or rubber gloves. If you can, raise the bleeding body part above the level of the child's heart. Do not apply a tourniquet. Using the palm of your hand on the gauze or cloth, apply steady, direct pressure to the wound for 5 minutes. (During the 5 minutes, do not stop to check the wound or remove blood clots that may form on the gauze.) If blood soaks through the gauze, do not remove it. Apply another gauze pad on top and continue applying pressure. Call your doctor or get immediate medical care for all large or cuts or tears, or if: you can't stop the bleeding after 5 minutes of pressure, or if the wound begins bleeding again (continue applying pressure until help arrives) you can't clean out dirt and debris thoroughly, or there's something else stuck in the wound the wound is on the child's face or neck the injury was caused by an animal or human bite, a burn, electrical injury, or puncture wound (e.g., a nail) the cut is more than half an inch long or appears to be deep — large or deep wounds can result in nerve or tendon damage If you have any doubt about whether stitches are needed, call your doctor. Back to Articles Related Articles Cellulitis Cellulitis is an infection of the skin and underlying tissues that can affect any area of the body. It begins in an area of broken skin, like a cut or scratch. Read More Cellulitis Cellulitis is a skin infection that involves areas of tissue just below the skin's surface. It can affect any part of the body, but it's most common on exposed areas, such as the face, arms, or lower legs. Read More First Aid: Cuts Most cuts can be safely treated at home. But deeper cuts - or any wounds that won't stop bleeding - need emergency medical treatment. Read More Cuts, Scratches, and Scrapes Most small cuts, scrapes, or abrasions heal on their own. Here are tips for teens on how to treat cuts at home - and when to get medical help. Read More Stitches Most kids need stitches at one time or another to help a cut heal properly. Read this article to learn all about stitches and what they do. Read More Staph Infections When skin is punctured or broken for any reason, staph bacteria can enter the wound and cause an infection. But good hygiene can prevent many staph infections. Learn more. Read More Scars You may be young, but you probably already have a scar or two. But why did you get them? How can you prevent them? Find out in this article written just for kids! Read More Bites and Scratches Animal bites and scratches, even minor ones, can become infected and spread bacteria to other parts of the body, regardless of whether the animal is a family pet or a wild animal. Read More First Aid: Falls Although most result in mild bumps and bruises, some falls can cause serious injuries that need medical attention. Read More First Aid: Nosebleeds Although they can be serious, nosebleeds are common in children ages 3 to 10 years and most stop on their own. Read More First-Aid Kit A well-stocked first-aid kit, kept in easy reach, is a necessity in every home. Learn where you should keep a kit and what to put in it. Read More First Aid: Animal Bites Animal bites and scratches that break the skin can cause infection. Rarely, animal bites can cause rabies, a dangerous, life-threatening disease. Read More What's a Scab? Just about everyone has had one of these on their knee. Find out how scabs help you heal. Read More Blood Here are the basics about the life-sustaining fluid called blood. Read More Childproofing and Preventing Household Accidents You might think of babies and toddlers when you hear the words "babyproofing" or "childproofing," but unintentional injury is the leading cause of death in kids 14 and under. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.