Bumps and bruises are damage that occurs in the soft tissue under the skin. In fact, the ugly black and blue marks you see when you bruise are really blood clots that form under the skin. The worse they look, the more they are clotting and healing. More: First Aid for Children Under the following conditions, there is no need to call for medical assistance when a person suffers a cut, scrape, bump, or bruise:
The injury is small (less than 1/2 inch around). There is no bleeding, or only slight bleeding. Make sure you follow the universal guidelines, such as wearing protective gloves, to prevent the spread of HIV or any other dangerous infections. (See How to Treat Wounds and Stop Bleedingfor first aid care for bleeding.) The victim is not in excessive pain. The victim does not feel numbness or tingling. The person is not suffering any paralysis. The victim does not seem to have any broken bones or dislocation at the joints. (If the victim is in a great amount of pain and the shoulder, leg, arm, or ankle appears to be lying or hanging at an awkward ankle, there is a good chance he or she has a broken bone or a dislocation.)
Here are simple first aid procedures for treating minor scrapes and cuts:
First Aid for Bruises
Bruises on the hands, fingers, feet, and toes can cause more problems than those that occur on knees, shins, or arms. Your hands and feet are a complicated network of motor functions, nerve endings, and flexibility. Any problems in these areas can cause a disability. For example, stubbing a toe might make walking difficult, or a damaged finger might keep you away from the computer. If you or someone around you experiences more than minor swelling or bruising after bumping into something or falling down, call your physician. More: First Aid for Burns Since bruises (and their potential partner, swelling) don’t break through the skin, there is a difference in first aid treatment. Follow these steps for treating different types of bruises:
First Aid for Blisters
For more tips on kids’ health and safety:
The Warning Signs of Internal Bleeding
A slight amount of bleeding that creates a bruise under the skin is one thing, but hemorrhaging is quite another. Internal bleeding can be serious and can affect one’s vital organs. The symptoms of internal bleeding are similar to those of shock: Unfortunately, first aid procedures will not stop internal bleeding. The best thing to do is to call for help immediately. Then proceed with the first aid steps for shock (see Performing Mouth-to-Mouth Resuscitation).
Pale, clammy skin Chills Cold hands and feet Dilated pupils Rapid, weak pulse Major swelling at the injury site Major or immediate black and blue marks at the wound
