RFSymptoms: Safety netting advice
ChildrenWound care
DATE LAST REVIEWED: 05/11/2026
When to seek further review
- Follow the dressing, stitch-removal and wound-review dates given by the treating team. Timing depends on the wound and how it was closed.
- Get urgent advice today for increasing pain, warmth, redness, swelling, pus, a bad smell, fever or a wound that starts opening.
- Seek advice for a dirty wound that cannot be cleaned, a bite, an uncertain tetanus vaccination history or a wound that is not healing.
- Do not remove glue, strips or stitches early. Ask the treating team, GP or NHS 111 if unsure about aftercare.
- Do not wait for the suggested review time if symptoms become worse, new symptoms appear, or you are worried.
- Contact your GP when the surgery is open. If it is closed, you cannot get the help you need, or you are unsure what to do, call NHS 111. You can call even if you are not sure whether the symptoms are serious.
When to get emergency help
(Immediately dial 999 or go to your nearest Emergency Department)
- Heavy bleeding that will not stop with firm continuous pressure, or blood spurting from the wound.
- An object stuck in the wound: do not pull it out.
- A very large or deep wound, or a serious cut to the face, palm, neck, chest or tummy.
- Loss of feeling or movement near the wound, or a cold, pale or blue hand or foot.
- Rapidly worsening pain or swelling with black skin, severe illness or collapse.
- Severe difficulty breathing, pauses in breathing, grunting, or the skin pulling in deeply under or between the ribs.
- Being very difficult to wake or unresponsive.
- Being unusually floppy, confused or not responding as usual.
- Blue, grey, very pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue.
How to spot sepsis
Sepsis is a life-threatening reaction to an infection. It can get worse quickly. If someone is seriously unwell and may have sepsis, call 999 or go to your nearest Emergency Department. Do not wait for every sign, a high temperature or a rash.
An unwell child under 5 who has not had a pee or wet nappy for 12 hours needs emergency assessment. If you are unsure and there are no emergency signs, call NHS 111 for advice.
