DD has split her face. Can I use stristrips. Warning photo

[AccidentsAhoy]

I really don't want to take her to the hospital right now. We're in self isolation with symptoms.

A friend offered to go chemist and get stristrips.

I've cleaned with savlon antiseptic cream.

What would you do?

I had extensive facial scarring after a car accident as a teenager. Sunscreen is so important to prevent hyperpigmentation, the dermatologist advised factor 50 all year round. I now do 30 all year round. Nice work.

Yeah you're needing a doctor or a nurse to look at that.

Sorry I just saw your updates! Well done! I really thought it would take a dr/nurse and stitches to see to that!

Looks really good.

In terms of reducing scarring keep her out of the sunlight. If she does go in the garden stay I the shade and wear as big a hat as she can

Hi OP

I'm a nurse and would steri-strip too. Ideally you need to leave them on 7-10 days and not keep taking them off to clean the area.

It looks like it's quite superficial hence not bleeding lots.

Thanks for being so sensible in the current climate

Face can usually be removed after 5-7 days. It's pretty much the fastest healing part of us. I would say stick to the longer side of that, and as long as she keeps it dry and doesn't pick it, it will be fine.

That's a really good job you've done OP! And you've avoided the dreaded "train tracking" that you sometimes get from stitches on the face

@AccidentsAhoy I was just wondering how your little girls is now?
My little girl (just turned 5) head planted the corner of her bed on Wednesday night, resulting in a horrible cut to her forehead. It looked pretty deep to me but didn't bleed that much considering, she only had one speck on her pyjamas. My DH took her straight to A&E and she had some steri-strips on it within the hour. Apparently the nurse said she didn't think it needed stitches and didn't even mention glueing it! They told us to keep the strips on for at least 5 days and not to get it wet. They put a big plaster type thing over the top of it to ensure she doesn't mess with it which so far is working well. I haven't seen it since she left for the hospital as obviously the plaster is still on now. I am pretty nervous as to what it is going to look like when we finally take it off as i really don't want her little face scarred for life badly as it is right in the middle of her forehead! I have done a tonne of research since it happened and ordered some Mederma cream and silicone gel to put on religiously once it has healed and am going to do all I can to ensure any scarring she has will be minimal. I've been and bought lots of vitamin C food to help her body heal naturally too! She's going to be so fed up of oranges in 5 days!!
I was just wondering how your little girl is doing and if anyone has any further advice for me please. I was going to upload a photo but I don't know how to do this (this is my first ever post)!
Thank you, xxx

Rosie, your DD May well have no sign of it at all in a few years, children heal very fast. A couple of my lot have done similar (not as deep as OP’s post) and they have healed really well. DD1 has a slight scar by her eye but that was a very deep cut, and hard to fix. A healthy diet and lots of cuddles will be fine, and she can always grow a fringe out. Try not to let her fixate on it or how her face looks for as long as you can. Hoping she does well!

Thanks for your reply Magic, and for your lovely message. I'm pretty worried about it at the moment but just really hoping it is healing well under the dressing she has covering it. I'm prepared for a red mark for a while but if you know it's likely to fade to nothing you don't mind as much do you. I have read a lot over the last few days and the majority of stories are quite positive I must say so just got to stay positive too and I guess she does have her age on side! Thanks again xx