If you have kids, you're going to have your share of scrapes, cuts and bruises – minor injuries. They simply come with children. What's a parent to do? When is it time to see your physician for medical attention? First, stay calm. Then take the advice of someone who knows cuts, scrapes and bruises.

Meadowbrook school nurse, Suzanna Bertelson, knows all about cuts and bruises. She deals with them on a daily basis. "The best treatment for abrasions (cuts and scrapes) is soap and water," Bertelson says. "The soap and water removes the surface dirt and any contaminates." The next step is putting on a simple bandage to keep out bacteria.

According to Bertelson, antibiotic creams and ointments are not necessary. "Allowing your own body's antibodies to work is the best solution," she says. She admits that they are coming up with all kinds of fun and interesting products you certainly may use, but they are really unnecessary. Soap and water is No. 1.

The AAFP Family Health Facts brochure echoes Bertelson's soap and water remedy. It recommends cleaning with cool water and avoiding irritation to the cut or scrape by keeping soap out of the wound. The brochure suggests using a tweezers to remove any dirt. It also suggests keeping large scrapes moist and clean to avoid scarring. If possible, the brochure recommends keeping a wound uncovered to speed drying and healing. However, if the area might get dirty or rub against clothing, it recommends a bandage cover.

How can you tell if a cut needs the attention of a doctor? Bertelson says to check if the edges of the cut are clean and come together. If they do, a doctor's appointment is unnecessary. A butterfly bandage works nicely to close cuts with clean edges. However, if the skin edge is jagged, the cut deep, the opening gaping and oozing with blood, the cut may need stitches from a doctor.

Bertelson also recommends checking to make sure tetanus shots are up to date. Most school-age children have had their required tetanus shot with a booster when going into seventh grade. She recommends that parents check their own tetanus shots as well – one every 10 years.

As for bruises, Bertelson suggests a little ice. "A bag of frozen peas or corn is great to use as an ice pack because it goes nicely around body parts, but you probably won't want to cook it up for supper after using it that way," she says, laughing. Another ice pack suggestion she recommends is filling Dixie cups about three-fourths full of water and freezing. "They are great for bruised lips and mouths because kids can suck on the ice like a Popsicle."

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