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Abrasion- Skin Abrasion- Treatment and Home Remedies of Skin Abrasion

Scrapes (abrasions) are skin wounds that rub or tear off skin. Most scrapes are shallow and do not extend far into the skin, but some may remove several layers of skin. Usually there is little bleeding from a scrape, but it may ooze pinkish fluid. Most scrapes are minor, so home treatment is usually all that is needed to care for the wound.

Scrapes occur most often in warm weather or warm climates when the skin on the arms and legs is more exposed. They are most commonly caused by accidents or falls but can occur anytime the skin is rubbed against a hard surface, such as the ground, a sidewalk, a carpet, or a road (road rash). School-age children ages 5 to 9 are most affected.

Scrapes can occur on any part of the body but usually affect bony areas, such as the hands, forearms, elbows, knees, or shins. Scrapes on the head or face may appear worse than they are and bleed a lot because of the ample blood supply to this area. Controlling the bleeding will allow you to determine the seriousness of the injury. Scrapes are usually more painful than cuts because scrapes tear a larger area of skin and expose more nerve endings

Symptoms of skin abrasion

Following are the common symptoms of scrapes;

Pain

Redness,

Rash

Swelling

Bleeding where the skin is rubbed off.

Dirt or gravel may get into the wound.

Causes of Skin Abrasion

Scrapes are usually caused by falls onto the hands, knees, or elbows. This exposes nerve endings, all of which carry pain impulses to the brain. Because scrapes can affect so many nerve endings, they are usually much more painful than cuts. Although most abrasions and scrapes can be treated at home, you should call your doctor if they become infected.

Prevention of Skin Abrasion

Since most scrapes are caused by accidents or falls, it is difficult to prevent them. Some general safety tips may reduce your risk for injury.

Pay close attention to what you are doing.

Know how to use objects properly.

Have good lighting so you can see what you are doing.

Prevent falls in your home by removing hazards that might cause a fall.

Wear gloves whenever possible to protect your hands.

Wear other safety gear, such as glasses or boots, as appropriate

Wear protective gear, such as hand, wrist, elbow, or kneepads and helmets, during sports or recreation activities.

Store dangerous objects in secure places away from children.

Teach children about safety, and be a good role model.

Home Remedies of Skin Abrasion

For minor scrapes and cuts all you need is soap and water . Clean the area and keep it clean. The cut will heal itself. You just have to keep the bacteria away.

If the cut is deep, clean the area. Then put garlic on it. Garlic contains an antibiotic, which will continue to kill bacteria and prevent infection.

Hydrogen Peroxide is also a good remedy for killing bacteria on a scrape or cut.

Alternate hot and cold compresses .

If you have any cream or lotion that contains Vitamin K , it will penetrate the skin encouraging the blood to be reabsorbed.

First-Aid

Stop the bleeding . Minor cuts and scrapes usually stop bleeding on their own. If they don't, apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth or bandage. Hold the pressure continuously for 20 to 30 minutes. Don't keep checking to see if the bleeding has stopped because this may damage or dislodge the fresh clot that's forming and cause bleeding to resume. If the blood spurts or continues to flow after continuous pressure, seek medical assistance.

Clean the wound . Rinse out the wound with clear water. Soap can irritate the wound, so try to keep it out of the actual wound. If dirt or debris remains in the wound after washing, use tweezers cleaned with alcohol to remove the particles. If debris remains embedded in the wound after cleaning, see your doctor. Thorough wound cleaning reduces the risk of tetanus. To clean the area around the wound, use soap and a washcloth. There's no need to use hydrogen peroxide, iodine or an iodine-containing cleanser. These substances irritate living cells. If you choose to use them, don't apply them directly on the wound.

Apply an antibiotic . After you clean the wound, apply a thin layer of an antibiotic cream or ointment to help keep the surface moist. The products don't make the wound heal faster, but they can discourage infection and allow your body's healing process to close the wound more efficiently. Certain ingredients in some ointments can cause a mild rash in some people. If a rash appears, stop using the ointment.

Cover the wound . Bandages can help keep the wound clean and keep harmful bacteria out. After the wound has healed enough to make infection unlikely, exposure to the air will speed wound healing.

Change the dressing . Change the dressing at least daily or whenever it becomes wet or dirty. If you're allergic to the adhesive used in most bandages, switch to adhesive-free dressings or sterile gauze held in place with paper tape, gauze roll or a loosely applied elastic bandage. These supplies generally are available at pharmacies

Watch for signs of infection . See your doctor if the wound isn't healing or you notice any redness, drainage, warmth or swelling.

Get a tetanus shot . Doctors recommend you get a tetanus shot every 10 years. If your wound is deep or dirty and your last shot was more than five years ago, your doctor may recommend a tetanus shot booster. Get the booster within 48 hours of the injury.

Home Treatment of Skin Abrasion

Scrapes are usually very dirty. Remove large pieces of debris with tweezers, and then scrub vigorously with soap and water and a wash­cloth. The injured person will probably complain loudly, but cleaning is necessary to prevent infection and scarring. If you have a water sprayer in your kitchen sink, try using that on the scrape with additional scrubbing.

Apply steady pressure with a clean bandage or cloth to stop bleeding. .

Ice may help reduce swelling and bruising.

If the scrape is large or in an area rubbed by clothing, apply an anti­biotic ointment and cover it with a non-stick bandage. This type of bandage won't stick and is held in place by adhesive around the edges. Putting the ointment on the bandage first will be less painful.

When to Call the doctor

If your tetanus shots are not up to date.

If the scrape is very large and dirty.

If you cannot remove dirt and debris embedded under the skin. They may cause tattooing or infec­tion if not removed.

If signs of infection develop:

Increased pain, swelling, redness, or tenderness

Heat or red streaks extending from the scrape

Discharge of pus