How to Care for Scrapes and Abrasions
An abrasion simply means that the surface of your skin, the epidermis, has been scraped or broken. It's a minor wound, but that doesn't mean you should ignore it. You still need to treat it so it'll heal and not become infected.
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Instructions
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Stop the bleeding. Even though an abrasion is a minor scrape, there may be bleeding. Hold a clean cloth or bandage against the abraded area. Check it after 15 minutes. A minor scrape stops bleeding fairly quickly.
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Clean the area to remove any dirt and bacteria. Pour a cup of cool water over the area. Alternatively, place the abraded area directly under cool running water. Apply a drop of liquid soap to a washcloth and continue rubbing the wound very gently.
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Remove any dirt or debris that remains after scrubbing the area. Clean a pair of tweezers by pouring alcohol over them. Remove the debris with the tweezers.
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Apply an antiobiotic ointment to the abraded area. You can use any over-the-counter antibiotic ointment (Neosporin and Polysporin are popular choices). The ointment will keep the skin moist, keeping it from cracking, and will also reduce the chance of infection.
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Cover the area with a bandage or gauze. This will keep the abraded area clean and protected from harmful bacteria.
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Tips & Warnings
Change the bandage once a day or when it gets dirty or wet. Wash it and apply the antibiotic ointment before covering it with the bandage. You can stop covering the area when a scab forms; the scab will protect the skin from bacteria.
Call a doctor if you're unable to remove all the dirt and debris.
Consult a doctor if the wound becomes swollen or red, or starts seeping pus.
See your doctor if the scrape doesn't heal after two weeks.
References
- Photo Credit Creatas Images/Creatas/Getty Images
