Your Care Instructions

Clotting factors are substances in the blood that help stop bleeding after a cut or injury. They also prevent sudden bleeding. In people who have clotting factor problems, the clotting factors do not work right or, in some cases, are missing. When blood does not clot well, even minor injuries can cause serious bleeding. This can lead to blood loss, injury to internal organs, or damage to muscles or joints.

Several conditions, including hemophilia, can make it hard for the blood to clot. Your doctor can treat your child with replacement clotting factors. Your child also may take medicine to prevent bleeding. Your child may often have clotting factors transfused into a vein to prevent bleeding, or he or she may get them as needed.

You may eventually learn to do this at home. You and your child can also try to prevent injuries that can cause bleeding.

How can you care for your child at home?

• Have your child take medicines exactly as prescribed. Call your doctor or nurse advice line if you think your child is having a problem with a medicine.
• Encourage your child to exercise safely. Avoid contact sports. Your child can swim or walk. Check with your doctor before letting your child do activities—such as riding a bike—that may put your child at high risk for falls.
• Help your child brush and floss their teeth daily. This may help your child avoid problems that could lead to having a tooth pulled.
• Do not give your child non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve). They can increase the chance of bleeding.
• Give pain medicines exactly as directed.
  • If the doctor gave your child a prescription medicine for pain, give it as prescribed.
  • If your child is not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if your child can take an over-the-counter medicine.
• Take care to prevent injuries at home.
  • Make sure rugs are tacked down so your child does not slip.
  • Keep furniture with sharp edges out of pathways.
  • Use non-skid floor wax.
  • Wipe up spills quickly.
  • If you live in an area that gets snow and ice in the winter, sprinkle salt on steps and sidewalks.
  • Make sure your child's shoes are not too big, so that your child does not fall.
• Have your child wear medical alert jewellery that lists the clotting problem.