How to stop bleeding in children

Emergency treatment is needed if a cut is deep and may have penetrated through the skull. Call 911 or other emergency services immediately and:

• Do not apply pressure if the skull is deformed. Signs of deformity may include sunken areas (other than the normal soft spots), bone fragments, or exposed brain.
• Do not attempt to stop the blood or clear fluid drainage from the nose or ears.
• Do not remove an object that penetrates the skull.

The following steps will protect the wound and protect you from another person's blood if emergency care is not needed.

• Before you try to stop the bleeding:
  • Wash your hands well with soap and water (if available).
  • Put on latex medical gloves before applying pressure to the wound. If gloves are not available, use many layers of fabric or plastic bags between your hand and the wound.
  • Use your bare hands to apply pressure only as a last resort.
• Have the child lie down.
• Remove any visible objects from the scalp or wound but do not remove an object that has penetrated the skull. Do not attempt to clean out the wound.
• Remove or cut clothing from around the wound. Remove any jewelry from the general area of the head or neck.
• Press firmly on the wound with a clean cloth or the cleanest material available. If there is an object in the wound, apply pressure around the object, not directly over it.
• Apply steady pressure for a full 10 minutes.
  • Use a clock to time the 10 minutes. It can seem like a long time.
  • Resist the urge to peek after a few minutes to see if bleeding has stopped.
  • If blood soaks through the cloth, apply another one without lifting the first.
• After 10 minutes of steady pressure, if minimal bleeding returns when the pressure is released, reapply direct pressure to the wound for another 10 minutes.
  • Direct pressure may be applied up to 3 times (total of 30 minutes) for minimal bleeding.
• If moderate to severe bleeding has not significantly slowed or stopped after 10 minutes, continue to apply firm pressure and elevate the area that is bleeding.

Watch for signs of shock.