Did your little one get hurt? Let's talk about Wound Healing and Care!

It's normal for your little one to get minor scrapes and wounds while running around and playing. Most of the time, we can take care of these minor wounds at home. However, sometimes, serious injuries can occur that require stitches or even hospitalization. Today, we're going to talk about what to do in such a situation, how a wound heals properly, and how to take care of it.

Every wound is different, right? Let's see what it is!

We often think that injuries only happen because of accidents. However, even the cuts that doctors make in the skin during surgery, or ``surgical incisions,'' are considered injuries. Similarly, small holes made in the skin to insert ``catheters'' or other instruments into the body are also considered injuries.

Think about it, our skin is actually the largest organ in our body. It acts like a protective shield that protects us from germs (bacteria, fungi, and viruses) . So, anything that cuts or scratches the skin becomes a wound, which increases the chance of germs entering the body, which means infections can occur.

The deeper, larger, or dirtier a wound is, the more care it needs. That's why doctors and nurses who have received special training in wound care work together to regularly examine and properly treat major wounds.

Doctors first look at the likelihood of infection from the wound.

• "Clean wounds": These have fewer germs, so the risk of infection is much lower. For example, when performing an ACL repair on the knee, the incision the doctor makes in the skin is a clean wound. This is because the area is thoroughly cleaned with an antiseptic solution before the surgery. Also, the risk of infection in that area is much lower.
• "Dirty or infected wounds": These are a little different. Think of something like an abscess, a deep scratch, a cut, or a gunshot wound. These require special treatment and care to prevent infection.

Sometimes, even if the wound is clean, the risk of infection can increase depending on where it is. For example, areas like the urinary tract, gastrointestinal system, or respiratory system are relatively high in germs. So, if there is a wound in that area, it is easier for germs to enter. If there is dirt, dust, or other foreign matter in the wound, the risk of infection increases even more.

How do you close a large wound, doctors?

If the wound is clean, the doctor will sew the edges together in two layers. Dissolvable stitches are used to sew the deeper layer of tissue under the skin. Then the skin over the wound is closed with staples, tape, or regular stitches.

Sometimes, the underlying layer and the upper skin are closed with dissolvable stitches or tape. Otherwise, the doctor will remove the regular stitches or staples that were placed on top after about 7 to 10 days.

However, doctors do not close all wounds immediately. If there is a suspicion that the wound is dirty , for example, an animal bite, it is left open for a while because it needs to be cleaned thoroughly first. If a dirty wound is closed, germs can get trapped inside and cause an infection. The wound is sutured only after it is absolutely certain that there are no germs or other debris.

Sometimes, doctors decide that it's best to leave the wound unstitched. If a lot of tissue has been lost , such as after a major accident, it's best to let the wound heal naturally by forming a scar.

Also, the doctor will definitely ask you if your child's tetanus vaccine has been given correctly and is it up to date. That is also very important.

What really happens inside the body when a wound heals?

Before a wound starts to heal, our body prepares to protect itself from infection. During the first few days, the wound may be swollen, red, and painful . This is called inflammation . This is a sign that our body's immune system is working to protect the wound from infection. Keeping the wound clean and dry during this time helps the healing process.

As the wound heals from the inside, a dry, temporary crust, called a scab , forms over the wound. The function of this scab is to protect the wound until the underlying skin heals.

Imagine, this crust is like a natural plaster applied to a wound.

Underneath the crust, new tissue begins to grow. The body repairs damaged blood vessels, and the skin makes collagen ( a tough, white, fibrous protein) to bind the broken tissue back together.

When healing is complete, the scab dries out and falls off on its own. This leaves the repaired skin and often a scar . At this point, the scar is about 80%–90% as strong as normal skin. It takes several months for it to be 100% as strong as normal skin.

Scars look different from normal skin. That's because our skin is made up of two types of proteins: elastin (which gives skin its elasticity) and collagen (which gives skin its strength). Our bodies can't make new elastin. So scars are made up entirely of collagen. They're tighter and less flexible than the surrounding skin.

How to properly care for a large wound at home?

Large wounds don't heal overnight. It can take weeks for the body to grow new tissue. Therefore, home care is very important to prevent infection and minimize scarring .

The doctor will advise you on how to care for your child until the wound heals. Doctors often say things like this:

• Cover the wound with a clean dressing until it stops draining. Your doctor or nurse will tell you how to change the dressing and how often to change it.
• Wait 2-4 days after surgery before bathing. Every wound is different, so ask your doctor or nurse when your child can bathe again.
• Until you see your doctor , don't do anything like swimming or soaking in water . The dirt in the water can get into the wound and cause infection. Also, if the wound gets wet, it can become inflamed and fall out.
• Keep pets away from the wound as much as possible.
• Don't pick or scratch the scab . Even if you pick at the scab while the skin underneath is healing, breaking it can damage the new skin that's forming. This will make the wound take longer to heal, and the remaining scar may get worse.

Our bodies need vitamins and minerals to heal. While the wound is healing , feed your child a nutritious diet - especially vitamin-rich fruits, vegetables and lean proteins. Keep him hydrated, and eat fiber-rich whole grains to prevent constipation . (Pain-relieving medications can sometimes cause constipation.)

Even if the wound heals quickly, scars can take longer to heal. If you have a thick scar, your doctor may recommend that you massage the area with a lotion or petroleum jelly. This will help the collagen mix with the elastin in the surrounding skin, helping to reduce the scar.

What are the symptoms that require seeing a doctor?

If a deep or large wound becomes infected, it can be a serious problem. If your child has one or more of these symptoms, call the doctor or the doctor who performed the surgery right away:

• If your child has a fever or swollen lymph nodes (one or both).
• If the pain increases despite painkillers, or if the pain extends beyond the site of the injury.
• If the swelling around the wound increases .
• If there is redness spreading around the wound or if it looks like red streaks .
• If you see blood or pus oozing from the wound.
• If your child has signs of dehydration (e.g., less frequent urination, dark urine, dry mouth, sunken eyes).

If you see something like this, you should definitely see a doctor, because it is very important to start treatment quickly.

So, here are some things you need to remember from what we've talked about!

The good news about wound healing is that little ones' bodies heal quickly . Help your child take good care of the wound, and follow the doctor's instructions exactly. And before long, the wound will be forgotten. Don't panic, but be careful. If you have any problems or doubts, never hesitate to ask the doctor.

` Wound healing, wound care, child injuries, infection prevention, scars, home remedies, medical advice