52913 DHS safety flip chart 6/1/05 4:27 PM Page 20

❏ Blisters
➔ Wash your hands, put on gloves if bleeding is present;
Gently clean blisters with soap and water, rinse with fresh water;
➔ Avoid breaking blisters;
➔ DO NOT apply creams, ointments, powders, etc;
➔ Cover with a clean adhesive bandage;
➔ If blisters appear red, swollen, or contain cloudy or yellow drainage, rec-
ommend attention by the health care provider;
➔ If the event is a bleeding injury see “Infection Control Measures” in this
flipchart;
Document the event, actions taken, calls made and follow-up informa-
tion in the child’s file with a duplicate copy to the parent.
The most common causes of blisters in young children are poorly fitting shoes and
sunburns. Take care to differentiate blisters from the early signs of chicken pox!

❏ Splinters
➔ Wash your hands. Put on gloves if bleeding is present;
➔ Gently wash the affected area with soap and water. Rinse with fresh
water;
➔ Use tweezers to remove splinters which extend above the surface of the
skin. DO NOT use a needle or other sharp object to break the skin or
“dig out” the splinter;
➔ DO NOT attempt to remove deeply embedded splinters or fragments.
Call the parent to take child to the health care provider for removal of
deeply embedded fragments. Keep the child calm and quiet until the
parent arrives;
➔ Cover with an adhesive bandage;
➔ If this is a bleeding injury see “Infection Control Measures” in this
flipchart;
➔ If swelling, redness, or pain persists, even if you cannot see the splinter
or fragment, notify the parent and recommend attention by the health
care provider;
➔ Check playgrounds, equipment and toys for possible sources of splin-
ters or fragments. Make necessary repairs or remove from use;
Document the event, actions taken, calls made if any, and follow-up
information in the child’s file with a duplicate copy to the parent. Child
care programs should notify their licensing or certifying agency if the
attention of a health care provider is required.

Blisters and Splinters

[F-6]
FIRST AID