Superficial Injuries Overview

In the course of a child's day, minor injuries may occur during play and sports activities. These wounds are usually minor and can be managed at home. Larger and deeper wounds may require an evaluation by a medical provider.

The face and head are especially at risk for cuts, scrapes, and lacerations because:

• Children have much larger heads in comparison to the rest of their bodies than adults do. This creates a larger "target" when falls occur.
• Children's center of balance is not completely adjusted yet due to their rapid growth and "bowed" position of the spine.
• Children's feet are often "toed-in" causing them to trip and fall when walking and running.
• Children like to move fast and often run rather than walk, even before they are able to run confidently.
• Children do not think about consequences for their actions and may act impulsively and create unsafe conditions, such as running with a pencil in their mouth or scissors in their hands.

Regardless of how careful you are about preventing superficial injuries or how many precautions you take when your child is outdoors playing, superficial injuries do occur.

By remaining calm and knowing some basic first-aid techniques, you can help your child overcome both the fear and the trauma of superficial injuries.

Call your medical provider if you have any questions about your child's injury.

Patients can be seen by Texas Children's experts in Emergency Center.