Karen Meissner will never forget the day her then-four-year-old daughter, Maria, got stitches. The mom from Elmira, Ont., had left Maria with her parents for the day. According to Grandma, Maria was swinging her body between two armchairs like a gymnast when her arms gave out and her face hit the hardwood floor. The impact was hard enough to split Maria?s chin open. ?My mom bandaged her up right away and called me,? says Meissner. ?By the time I got there, Maria wasn?t upset anymore, but she also wouldn?t let me take bandage off to check it out.?
Based on her mom?s detailed description of the wound, Meissner decided to take Maria to the emergency room. She knew she?d made the right decision as soon as the doctor peeled off the bandage. ?The wound was wide open, and I could see tissue,? she recalls. ?I still get squirmy when I think about it.? The doctor used a needle to freeze the injured area and gave Maria three tiny stitches. According to Toronto paediatrician Eddy Lau, when your child gets this type of wound, the depth and size of the injured area, and the amount of blood loss, are good indicators for figuring out if stitches are required. But if you have any doubt, see a doctor. First, Lau says, immediately apply pressure with a clean cloth to stop the bleeding. Ice may prevent swelling. Then assess the damage, but do so quickly. Lau says a wound that has been open too long isn?t ideal for stitching, and fast action may minimize scarring. ?If the gash looks deep or th...