My 8 year old's palm got cut by a common screw-driver on his robotics camp, and the wound bled; he washed it with soap and the instructor gave him a band-aid. I came to know when we reached home. We had a Dr's appointment also for something else, so I took that opportunity to show that cut to the Dr - he said it would be fine and I shouldn't worry about infection. I am not too overly concerned about it, but I just wanted to check with you knowledgeable moms if I am missing something? Should I be worried? Today is his last day at this camp, should I ask to see that screwdriver? They would have mixed it up with a basket full of same-looking screwdrivers. What could I do about this? (Son is nonchalant about this whole episode as usual and doesn't want me to bother the instructor:).. his wound hurts but is not bleeding anymore and has been covered with band-aid- although it might not stay covered as it's on his palm). Thanks in advance!
Update: I think he is current on his shots but I just called the Dr's office to confirm. I was worried about bodily fluids. He didn't say anyone else getting hurt in that camp on that day.
He's current on the tetanus shot. His wound is healing fast. I think I don't need to worry after all! Thanks for the support dear friends!
Tetanus would be the only concern I'd have. Just keep an eye out for it.
I would trust the doctor.
It appears that several of your previous posts involve concerns about viruses, infections, diseases, minor injuries, etc.
Are you worried about infections and diseases due to a family member's immune deficiency or chronic disease (often, families where someone is chronically ill, everyone must be more vigilant about health issues)? Or are you perhaps a worrier by nature? Or, some people just are more concerned about blood and injuries in general. Some people can deal with the bloodiest messes, and others faint at the sight of a hangnail. That's ok, everyone's different, but it's best to be as informed and realistic as possible.
Maybe it would help you to learn a little about first aid. In the case of the screwdriver and the hand wound, infection would make itself known by increasingly warm and red skin, and most likely, increased pain.
In this case, though, I'd let your son's attitude be the one in charge. He's nonchalant, not complaining, the wound isn't getting worse, a doctor examined it, and most importantly, your son doesn't want you to question the instructor. Most likely, a screwdriver at a robotics camp will be clean, as opposed to a screwdriver in a barn with farm animals and dirt and fertilizer.
It might help you relax if you just mention - casually - to your son something about letting you know if he feels that his cut isn't healing. Make sure he knows you're not panicking, but simply informing him. And if it needs a bandaid but the bandaid slips off, just wrap a strip of paper tape (found in the first aid aisle) around his hand and on top of the bandaid.
I encourage you to relax and trust the instructor and doctor and your son!
You have done all you can to help your son heal. This is just the beginning of the bumps and bruises that a boy can/could get growing up. As others have mentioned, perhaps a first-aid course would help you.
As for looking at the screwdriver, how would he know which one it was? There are many in the box so it might not be the one that he picks out.
Learn not to panic over the small stuff. Breathe and count to 10 slowly and exhale. You will be fine and so is he.
the other S.
PS We can't keep our kids in bubbles to protect them.
If the doctor was unconcerned and he is up to date on his tetanus shot I would not worry.
Why on earth would you want to see the screwdriver? What difference does that make?
The Dr said it's ok? What is your concern over a cut seen by the Dr, no stitches, no visible issues?
The most I'd do would be to make sure his tetanus is up to date, put neosporin and a band aid on it.
Accidents happen, try not to over analyze this into something it's not. It's no biggie and not worth the energy you are using with unnecessary worry.
Tetanus is the only thing you have to worry about.
Like the other moms, I'm not sure what your purpose in wanting to see the screwdriver would be. Are you concerned someone else was also injured and he shared bodily fluids b/c he got scraped by it after another student? Or... what exactly? I don't understand the point of wanting to see the screwdriver.
If his tetanus shot is up to date, then just watch for infection (not necessarily tetanus, just any wound can get infected from exposure to bacteria from anything he touches, the world is covered in bacteria). Not really anything else to do.
As long as he is up to date on tetanus shots, I wouldn't be worried.
Nope I wouldn't worry about it at all. They did correct wound care at the time of the accident. They could have added antibacterial ointment along with the bandaid but its ok without. As long as he's current with a tetanis shot he's good to go. Just watch for signs of infection and you are fine.
As far as wanting to see the screwdriver? Kind of silly since its not like its a unique dangerous tool. Everyone has them around the house (my hubby is a contractor so if any of ya'll need some come on over because I have 5 million) so you aren't going to see something you haven't seen before.
Kids get hurt. They get hurt at home, they get hurt at school, they get hurt at camp. They heal and move on. He got hurt at camp learning new things. Good for you for letting him participate. Now he's got a little scar that will help him remember the fun of it all.
As long as he's had a tetanus shot, which he probably has in the form of a dTap vaccination, there is probably no reason to worry about a major situation. There is no info to be gained by looking at screwdrivers.
If your son is unvaccinated, then there may be a risk of serious infection. Your doctor probably would have mentioned it.
No I would not be worried. I would think to myself, it will probably heal just fine. My kids both heal so fast...I always joke with them that they are super healers. Why are you so worried? It will be ok and if it gets dirty and starts looking a bit red and swollen put some neosporin on it. If you still feel worried take your son back to the Dr. But most likely it will heal fine. Palm cuts are kind of a pain bc you use your hands so much...so it might annoy your son for a while till it heals.
No need to see the screwdriver. As long as you get your standard tetanus vaccine as recommended, put some neosporin and a band-aid on it and be on your way. If you don't get vaccines on a standard schedule, call your ped to see if he's got it. If not, discuss with them further.
(oh, I missed that you saw the doctor already. I'm sure he checked on tetanus while you were there, so really no reason to worry)
It's fine. I wouldn't think twice about it.
If it's a superficial wound, was cleaned, small enough to be covered by a bandage, and seen by the doctor, I think it's fine! The body has a tremendous capacity to heal. Just keep an eye on it and make sure it heals - if it forms a scab that gets smaller each day without being really red, inflamed or oozing, it's fine. You can put a little antibacterial cream on it (neosporin or something similar). The fact that it's sore is totally normal. If the bandaid falls off, as long as the cut doesn't keep opening, it should be okay once a scab forms. If you feel it needs to be covered, then get some of that first aid tape and wrap a loop around the whole hand to hold the bandage on for a day.
What you have to worry about is a deep puncture wound with anything sharp (screwdriver, stick, nail) where a tetanus shot might be required (depending on when the last shot was). But that doesn't seem to be a factor here at all.
You seem very worried. Do you have a reason to be so worried? Does he have symptoms of an infection, such as a fever or redness around the skin? If he is not showing signs of an infection, it's probably fine. Plus, his doctor confirmed it would be fine. Relax. Just make sure his shots are up to date.
I'd be worried more about germs in general in a cut than "bodily fluids". Do you have antibiotic ointment? Put that on before a clean bandaid. Watch it as you change bandaids to make sure it doesn't get infected.
It's the same thing as if he cut himself at home on your own screwdriver.
And of course, make sure he's up to date with his shots - if he's in school, he should be.
no need to worry. i steped on a rusty nail. went in about 1/4 inch. i was not up to date on my shots. dr said no worries, that it was not deep enough to warrant a shot. if the cut didn't require stitches nor did it need to be closed by a physician. then theres no need to worry.
your childs dr told you not to worry so why are you. seems like your wishing for a problem where there is none.
The only thing I thought of was checking to see that he was up to date on his tetanus shot. Other than that, keep an eye on the cut. If it starts to get red or you see pus, maybe call the doctor?
Your son cut himself. No big deal. It's going to happen again.
There's no need to see anything.
Has your son kept up on his shots? Specifically his Tetanus shots? If so there really isn't anything life threatening going on.
Tetanus lives in the dirt, so if the screwdriver had been dropped, laid down on the ground, etc...it "could" have tetanus on it. If your son is up to date and had his tetanus shot in the past 5 years he probably doesn't even need a booster of it.
I would think that the screw driver wasn't rusty. Even if it was isn't he up to date on his shots?
Is this the first time your son has been cut? I do not understand why you are concerned. If you worry about everyday sorts minor injuries, your worry is of some concern. Worry will cause you and your son to be unable to just live life. Worry is sressful. I suggest you talk with a medical person about your worries and ways to reduce them.
Make sure his tetanus vaccination is up to date.
