The health care provider checked the cut on your child's scalp and used staples to close it. Most cuts will leave a small scar. A healing cut can get infected, so the health care provider cleaned it carefully. You can help to prevent infection by taking good care of the cut as it heals.

• Keep the cut as dry as possible for 24 hours. You can gently wash the skin around it with a clean damp cloth.
• After 24 hours, your child may shower or take a sponge bath, then gently pat the cut dry.
• Don't soak the skin. Your child should not take a bath or go swimming until the staples are removed.
• If your health care provider recommends it, spread a thin layer of antibiotic ointment over the cut each day.
• You can give medicine for pain if your health care provider says it's OK. Use one of these medicines exactly as directed:
  • acetaminophen (such as Tylenol^® or a store brand)
    OR
  • ibuprofen (such as Advil^®, Motrin^®, or a store brand). Don't give to babies under 6 months old.
• Some mild redness around the cut is normal. Check every day to make sure the red area doesn't get bigger.
• Go to the health care provider as directed to have the staples removed. Leaving the staples in place too long may cause more scarring.
• Make sure your child's tetanus vaccine is up to date.
• When you or your child apply sunscreen, be sure to put it on the scar. This will help protect the scar from burning and prevent it from getting darker.

• Your child has redness, warmth, or swelling around the cut. This could be the start of an infection.
• Pus is draining from the cut.
• The edges of the cut start to separate.
• Your child develops pain or a fever.
• The staples have started to come out or the cut is opening up.
• You see any of these changes in your child:
  • increased sleepiness
  • trouble walking straight
  • vomiting
  • crying that won't stop
  • possible dizziness
  • agitation or confusion
  • head or neck pain and stiffness

The cut starts bleeding and doesn't stop, even after you apply light pressure.

Why are staples used to close a cut on the scalp? Staples can be placed more quickly than stitches and are easier to remove. (Staples used on the body are different from regular staples used on paper.)

What do health care providers do when a child has a scalp cut? Health care providers ask for details about how the cut happened and do a careful exam. Because there was a blow to the head, they also check for any signs of internal problems, such as a concussion or other injury. The health care team might observe the child for a little while to watch for possible changes. Parents might be asked to continue checking their child at home.