Genital Injury

When To Call

Call 911 Now (your child may need an ambulance) If

• Major bleeding that can't be stopped
• Fainted or too weak to stand

Call Your Doctor Now (night or day) If

• You think your child has a serious injury
• External bleeding won't stop after 10 minutes of direct pressure
• Bleeding from inside the vagina
• Vaginal injury with a penetrating object
• Skin is split open or gaping and may need stitches
• Zipper caught (stuck) on penis now
• Swollen or painful scrotum
• Painful urination or difficulty passing urine
• Blood in urine
• Severe pain
• Age under 1 year old
• Could have been caused by sexual abuse or assault
• You think your child needs to be seen urgently

Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours (between 9 am and 4 pm) If

• You think your child needs to be seen, but not urgently

Call Your Doctor During Weekday Office Hours If

• No tetanus shot in over 5 years for DIRTY cuts (over 10 years for CLEAN cuts)
• Genital pain or swelling persists over 7 days
• You have other questions or concerns

Parent Care at Home If

• Minor genital injury and you don't think your child needs to be seen

Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information. For more information, click here.

Care Advice

Home Care Advice for Minor Genital Injuries

1. Bleeding:
• For any bleeding, apply direct pressure for 10 minutes with a sterile gauze.
• Note: minor cuts in the genital area can cause much oozing of blood because of the rich blood supply.
• For the same reason, the area heals quickly (3 or 4 days).
2. Cut or Scrape Treatment:
• Wash the wound with soap and water for 5 minutes.
• For any dirt, scrub gently with a wash cloth.
• Apply an antibiotic ointment such as Polysporin (no prescription needed) 2 times per day.
3. Local Cold: For bruises or swelling, apply a cold wet washcloth to the area once for 20 minutes if tolerated. (Reason: reduce the bleeding and pain).
4. Pain Medicine: Give acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) or ibuprofen as needed for pain relief.
5. Expected Course: Cuts and other minor injuries in the genital area heal quickly in 3 or 4 days.
6. Call Your Doctor If:
• Pain becomes severe
• Passing urine becomes difficult or painful
• Your child becomes worse

And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms. 

To find a pediatrician, click here.

Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information. For more information, click here.

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