Services

Sutures

At Oak Park Pediatrics, our pediatricians offer on-site suture services and wound evaluations. If you have any questions, please schedule a visit so our pediatricians can help determine what treatment is best for your child. Our office offers non-absorbable sutures, absorbable sutures and glue adhesives as options for wound repair. If your child suffers a serious wound such as a bad head injury, or if a bone is protruding through the skin, call 911 or seek immediate treatment at a local emergency room.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How should a wound be cared for once sutures are placed?

In general, you should keep the area clean and free of debris. To prevent infection, most wounds should be covered with an antibiotic ointment and a nonadhesive dressing immediately after laceration repair. A simple Band-Aid will suffice for many small lacerations. The dressing should be left in place for 24 hours, after which time most wounds can be opened to air. After closure with sutures, your child may be allowed to shower or wash the wound with mild soap and water. If your child has had fewer than four doses of the tetanus vaccination or has had more than four doses but the last dose was given over five years ago, your child may need a tetanus vaccination.

When can I expect my child will be prescribed antibiotics for an open wound?

In general, healthy patients with minor wounds who undergo laceration repair with sutures are not prescribed prophylactic antibiotics. However, if your child had a laceration from a bite wound (e.g., animal and human bite), antibiotics may decrease their risk of infection, and antibiotics will likely be recommended.

How long do sutures typically remain in place?

The length of time your child needs to have sutures depends on the severity of the injury and its location. During your appointment, your Oak Park Pediatrics doctor can discuss more specifically how long you can expect the sutures to stay in. In general:

Face: five days Scalp: 7 to 10 days Trunk and upper extremities: 7 days Lower extremities: 7 to 10 days

When does my child need to see the doctor again after suture placement?

In general, most clean wounds do not need to be seen by a physician until suture removal, unless signs of infection develop. If the wound site should show signs of increasing redness, tenderness to the touch, warmth or white discharge, please contact your doctor as these may be signs of infection. Larger, contaminated wounds will likely need to be evaluated sooner, often in 48-72 hours.

Ear Piercing

Oak Park Pediatrics offers ear piercing under the supervision of a qualified doctor. To reduce the risk of allergic reactions, we use sterile piercing equipment, and only use hypoallergenic, 14K gold plated earrings. The providers also take extra care and time to ensure that every family is satisfied with their ear piercing placement. If you’re looking for a safe, sterile environment for ear piercing, schedule an appointment at Oak Park Pediatrics.

If you’re interested in scheduling an ear piercing or if you have any questions, call the office at 818-707-0046.

Frequently Asked Questions:

At what age can I have my child's ear pierced?

The Pediatricians at Oak Park Pediatrics suggest waiting for your child to reach three months or older before piercing their ears.

What can I expect during an ear piercing appointment?

Before your child receives his ear piercing, your doctor will describe the ear piercing procedure. Moving forward with the piercing, your provider cleans the area with alcohol and marks the area where the earrings will be placed, ensuring they are even and to the parents’ satisfaction. Once the piercing is complete, your child’s doctor shows you how to care for the earrings at home to prevent infection or the closure of the piercing. The parent will also receive a cleaning solution to apply to the ear piercing site.

What is the cost of an ear piercing?

If you are an established patient at Oak Park Pediatrics, the cost of ear piercing is $150. If you are not an established patient at Oak Park Pediatrics, the cost of the piercing is $200.

Home Visits

Dr Hochman currently offers home visits. If you are interested in scheduling a home visit, please call the office for more details.

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