Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesCausesTreatmentWhen to See a Healthcare Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types
Causes
Treatment
When to See a Healthcare Provider
This article will cover what you need to know about skin abrasions, including how to treat skin abrasions at home and when to consider speaking with a healthcare provider.
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Abrasions are a type of skin wound. There are two types of abrasions: Minor and deep.
Minor abrasions only affect the skin’s top layer and usually do not bleed. For these reasons, minor abrasions are considered superficial skin wounds and are easy to treat at home.
Deep abrasions, on the other hand, affect deeper layers of tissue. As a result, deeper abrasions may bleed, require medical treatment, and can leave a scar.
People experience an abrasion when skin is scraped or rubbed off. This is a common occurrence people of all ages may experience. However, younger children and older adults may be more susceptible to abrasions due to differences in motor coordination at these life stages compared with middle years.
There are many potential causes of this type of injury, including:
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While scrapes are typically nothing to worry about, bear in mind when the skin has been broken, there is always some risk of infection. Reducing risk starts with treating the wound.
The most important thing when treating skin abrasions at home is ensuring the wound, surrounding skin, and anything coming into contact with or near the open wound is clean. When treating abrasions in children, it’s suggested first to calm down your child and let them know you can help.
The remaining treatment notes can be applied to minor abrasions in people of all ages.
At-home treatment protocol:
What Not to DoAlthough we may want to blow on wounds to ease the initial discomfort, it’s recommended that people avoid blowing on wounds. Experts say blowing on a wound can cause germs from your mouth to grow in the wound area. In addition, abrasions that are not well cleaned can cause scarring or infection.
What Not to Do
Although we may want to blow on wounds to ease the initial discomfort, it’s recommended that people avoid blowing on wounds. Experts say blowing on a wound can cause germs from your mouth to grow in the wound area. In addition, abrasions that are not well cleaned can cause scarring or infection.
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There are some cases in which you’ll want to consider seeing a healthcare provider for immediate or future assistance. Scenarios that call for medical attention include:
Signs of Skin InfectionIf you have the following symptoms, you may have a skin infection and should seek medical care:Redness or heat around the abrasionA red streak stemming from the abrasionIncreased swelling or painWhite, yellow, or green liquid coming from the woundFever
Signs of Skin Infection
If you have the following symptoms, you may have a skin infection and should seek medical care:Redness or heat around the abrasionA red streak stemming from the abrasionIncreased swelling or painWhite, yellow, or green liquid coming from the woundFever
If you have the following symptoms, you may have a skin infection and should seek medical care:
Summary
A Word From Verywell
We all experience minor injuries from time to time, but they’re usually not cause for concern. They can be cleaned and treated at home quickly and easily. However, keep an eye on any abrasions you may have as they heal, and don’t hesitate to reach out to a healthcare provider if you suspect an infection.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Winchester Hospital.Skin wound.World Health Organization.How can injuries in children and older people be prevented?John Hopkins Medicine.Abrasions.Intermountain Healthcare.4 steps to treat abrasions at home.Seattle Children’s.Scrape.Nemours Kids Health.Cuts, scratches, and scrapes.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Winchester Hospital.Skin wound.World Health Organization.How can injuries in children and older people be prevented?John Hopkins Medicine.Abrasions.Intermountain Healthcare.4 steps to treat abrasions at home.Seattle Children’s.Scrape.Nemours Kids Health.Cuts, scratches, and scrapes.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Winchester Hospital.Skin wound.World Health Organization.How can injuries in children and older people be prevented?John Hopkins Medicine.Abrasions.Intermountain Healthcare.4 steps to treat abrasions at home.Seattle Children’s.Scrape.Nemours Kids Health.Cuts, scratches, and scrapes.
Winchester Hospital.Skin wound.
World Health Organization.How can injuries in children and older people be prevented?
John Hopkins Medicine.Abrasions.
Intermountain Healthcare.4 steps to treat abrasions at home.
Seattle Children’s.Scrape.
Nemours Kids Health.Cuts, scratches, and scrapes.
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