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Original poster

2 year old worried about plaster removal

22 replies

MamaBinturong · 01/05/2025 11:44

My son fell at a park a little while ago - straight back up , no problems, until later in the day his sister pointed out (in quite a shocked way) that he had scraped his thumb. He got really panicked by the graze, and we put a plaster on it. The problem now is that he really doesn't want to take the plaster off. He gets very fretful if it falls off or when we replace it. He also doesn't want to use that hand, he'll only hold hands with the other one. It's all healed up, there's no mark, but I'm not sure how to do it without causing too much distress. Should I just (literally) rip off the band aid, or does anyone have any tips/suggestions?

Just to note, it's not the actual removal of the plaster that bothers him, it's the no longer having it. With the amount of yogurt he eats, I fear he could create a new life form in there 😅

OP posts:
PurpleChrayn · 01/05/2025 11:45

Just rip it off and don't humour it! Otherwise you’ll create a rod for your own back. I don’t allow such complexes to develop; best nip it in the bud.

HavfrueDenizKisi · 01/05/2025 11:54

Yes nip this in the bud. Plaster off and a breezy ‘that’s all better now and you don’t need a plaster - Isn’t that great. Now what shall we play?’

Fridgetapas · 01/05/2025 12:04

When my DS was younger he used to get very distressed when he had a small scrape or needed a plaster and we realised he didn’t really understand that his body would heal and he wouldn’t need it anymore. Maybe spelling out that injuries go away and get better might help?

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Radiatorvalves · 01/05/2025 12:08

Some form of distraction technique? Next time it come off /you take it off do something he really likes. And don’t replace it.

Original poster
MamaBinturong · 01/05/2025 12:11

Fridgetapas · 01/05/2025 12:04

When my DS was younger he used to get very distressed when he had a small scrape or needed a plaster and we realised he didn’t really understand that his body would heal and he wouldn’t need it anymore. Maybe spelling out that injuries go away and get better might help?

Thank you, I'll give this a go. Plaster is going tonight, he might end up still wearing it at school otherwise!

OP posts:
Original poster
MamaBinturong · 01/05/2025 12:12

Radiatorvalves · 01/05/2025 12:08

Some form of distraction technique? Next time it come off /you take it off do something he really likes. And don’t replace it.

Good shout, distraction is often the answer!

OP posts:
BananaPalm · 01/05/2025 12:15

My son was the same. I’d just rip it off (gently, of course), cuddle him and then offer some reward for being a brave boy (a bit of screentime or a treat). Then more cuddles if needed. That’s it. We repeated it a few times and now he knows that plasters do need to come off and he’s not that bothered about it anymore.

If your son really managed to keep his plaster on for 2 weeks (if I’m reading it right) you’re really lucky he hasn’t gotten some sort of infection…

Hoppinggreen · 01/05/2025 12:16

Has it not come off in the bath or while washing his hands?

Bramshott · 01/05/2025 12:17

Would he be happy with a stamp on his hand rather than a plaster?

Original poster
MamaBinturong · 01/05/2025 12:22

BananaPalm · 01/05/2025 12:15

My son was the same. I’d just rip it off (gently, of course), cuddle him and then offer some reward for being a brave boy (a bit of screentime or a treat). Then more cuddles if needed. That’s it. We repeated it a few times and now he knows that plasters do need to come off and he’s not that bothered about it anymore.

If your son really managed to keep his plaster on for 2 weeks (if I’m reading it right) you’re really lucky he hasn’t gotten some sort of infection…

Just a few days, not sure where 2 weeks came from?

OP posts:
Original poster
MamaBinturong · 01/05/2025 12:24

Hoppinggreen · 01/05/2025 12:16

Has it not come off in the bath or while washing his hands?

Yes, that's when he'd get upset and I put a new one on. I'll try the suggestions tonight

OP posts:
Hoppinggreen · 01/05/2025 12:34

MamaBinturong · 01/05/2025 12:24

Yes, that's when he'd get upset and I put a new one on. I'll try the suggestions tonight

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SN not with standing there was no need for you to replace a plaster in it wasn't medically necessary.
Maybe try saying no?

Original poster
MamaBinturong · 01/05/2025 12:51

Hoppinggreen · 01/05/2025 12:34

SN not with standing there was no need for you to replace a plaster in it wasn't medically necessary.
Maybe try saying no?

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Oh man, I gave my son an unnecessary plaster and now he's doomed - pretty soon he'll only be happy in a full body cast 😄

OP posts:
DisplayPurposesOnly · 01/05/2025 12:57

Keep saying no to the plaster. Admire his lovely new skin isn't it clever etc. Maybe get him to draw on that patch (any bath crayons?) as a 'covering'?

Hoppinggreen · 01/05/2025 13:16

MamaBinturong · 01/05/2025 12:51

Oh man, I gave my son an unnecessary plaster and now he's doomed - pretty soon he'll only be happy in a full body cast 😄

Show quote history

If you say so, bit dramatic though.
You didn't say no at the time and now its causing an issue that could have been averted with some basic parenting.
I appreciate you don't have a time machine so too late on this occasion but maybe next time when you are in a similar situation say no

Lorlorlorikeet · 01/05/2025 13:16

MamaBinturong · 01/05/2025 12:51

Oh man, I gave my son an unnecessary plaster and now he's doomed - pretty soon he'll only be happy in a full body cast 😄

Show quote history

Well, you’re the one here asking for help to take a plaster off. 😬

FancyCatSlave · 01/05/2025 13:21

My DD loves plasters! She’s almost 6 now and keeps her own stash of them
in her doctors kit (we buy cheap interesting ones whenever we see them) and she just applies them at will to herself and all her toys. I just let her get on with it. For her birthday she had a box of coloured cohesive bandages and proper first aid dressings and it was the best thing ever as she made ‘casts’ and slings and all sorts 🤣.

I’d just take it off and distract but also get him something similar to play with. Kids love all things medical in my experience!

Ponderingwindow · 01/05/2025 13:26

what about putting on a bit of benign ointment, some Vaseline or a drop of aloe to symbolize the end of the need for the plaster? If there is any lingering sensitivity it would soothe the skin.

editing to add my advice tends to be based upon having an obsessive ASD child that was never distracted. She had a memory like a steel trap even as a baby. Work arounds were a necessity

Viniagrette · 01/05/2025 13:33

One option I have used to deal with irrational toddler anxieties is to invent a fairy who will accordingly fix the problem at night. Of course I would try a reassuring rational explanation first.

TheFormidableMrsC · 01/05/2025 13:42

Few seconds with a warm hairdryer and it’ll come away easily. This was my method with my ASD son.

ThreenagerMum · 21/12/2025 18:36

I know this is an old thread but what worked in the end @MamaBinturong ? I have a similar problem with my three year old! Absolute hysterics

TheFormidableMrsC · 21/12/2025 21:33

A short blast with a warm hairdryer always worked for my son, they just slide off.

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