Wound Care: Parent/Carer discharge information

Introduction

This leaflet will provide you with advice and information about how to care for your child’s wound at home.

If you have any questions or if there is anything you do not
understand about this leaflet, please contact:

Children’s Assessment Unit on 02476 865 631
George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust switchboard number: 02476 351 351

How to care for your child’s wound at home

Nutrition

Eat and drink as normal

Bathing

Keep your child’s wound dressing clean and dry for the first 48 hours to allow the healing process to begin. After 48 hours your child may have a bath/shower. Always ensure the wound is completely dry after washing to prevent moisture from causing infection.

Mobility

Depending on where your child’s wound is they may need to rest for around 24 hours. However, if your child is happy mobilising (moving around) do not prevent them. Allow your child to do what is comfortable for them.

What to look out for?

Monitor your child’s wound at home and look out for any of the below signs. Any of these could indicate an infection and you will need to contact your GP for advice.

• Redness around the wound
• Redness tracking away from the wound.
• Swelling
• Hot to touch
• Oozes any liquid from the wound.

Pain relief

Wounds can be painful, for the first 24 hours it is important that you give your child regular paracetamol and/or ibuprofen. You will be given advice before you are sent home but please always ensure you follow the instructions on the bottle.

Paracetamol given at: ……………………………..

Paracetamol next due at: ………………………….

Ibuprofen given at: ………………………………….

Ibuprofen next due at: ………………………………

George Eliot Hospital is a smoke free environment. For help and advice to stop smoking you can call the national helpline on 0300 123 1044 or visit https://fitterfutures.everyonehealth.co.uk/stop-smoking-service/ ​​​​​​. You can also call the local telephone number for the Warwickshire service on 0333 005 0092 or Coventry service on 0800 112 3780.

Copyright

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